We all know things and we don’t know things. To learn and to deepen your knowledge about the world and yourself is therefore an essential element of life.
Often, we set ourselves certain objectives, we have good intentions and plans to improve. What I want you to focus on are the real issues, the true questions, when you really want to know, to recognize, to experience something valuable for yourself.
Use questions to investigate and learn – in this case I want you to work with a personal learning question. Read more how to do so.
Step 1: Identify your personal learning question
A learning question is about subject of which you feel deep inside that it is now the sufficient point in time to learn more about it. I am talking here about issues close to your heart keeping you busy – mentally and emotionally – at present. Thus, it is about something you miss your life and that you want to acquire. But it is also combined with change and fear: you will change and be a little different afterwards.
A true learning question comes from yourself, your deep inner being. It is straightforward and phrased in a positive way – you want to something, not away from something. And it is preferably not about the why and how.
I recommend you to find a quiet moment. Close your eyes and take a deep breath to be fully present in the here and now. Ask yourself: What’s going on at the moment in my life? What do I need now? What do I truly want to learn? Now listen calmly and openly to your inner voice (your soul, your heart – whatever you want to call it).
Which question comes up in you? If you have identified your subject, find a concise phrase for your learning question and write it down. Start with: I want to learn …
Don’t stop here now but continue with step 2. Only this will ensure an outcome.
Step 2: Set a deadline
Give yourself a certain amount of time to concentrate on your learning question and determine a concrete end date. Make sure the time frame is realistic and gives you enough opportunity to work on your issue. However, don’t allow too much time. You might risk to lose momentum and attentiveness for your learning process.
The idea behind setting a deadline is to conclude a contract with yourself. In doing so, you commit yourself to realize your intention until a certain date.
Step 3: Discover your crop
After the set time has elapsed, check what you have learned. Make a list and collect all the different bits and pieces. Identify the essence of your learnings and put it into one concise sentence.
If you follow these three steps, you will surely gain new insights and learn about a subject currently important to you. Write me an email in case you need help with identifying your personal learning question. I will provide you with one reply – free of charge.