First Things First
I am a believer in preparing to learn. It is a skill that is beneficial on a daily basis, and improves learning whether formal or spontaneous.
The attribute that enables learner-readiness is humility. It allows the mind to tune-in when challenged, and the will to bend when anticipating a lesson. In fact, it is one main factor in transforming a challenge or struggle into a learning opportunity.
Humility is a mindset, and it is fundamental to establishing an internal and external personal learning environment.
The first thing required to establish an environment where learning can take place is safety. Creating space in your mind where critical thinking can take place, a classroom of sorts, requires being kind to yourself.
Seeing humility as a your strengths under control, rather than a need to be humiliated or humbled, may help you into this kindness to self. When you know it is up to you to establish and maintain kindness to yourself, achieving safety becomes believable.
Safety does not guarantee an environment void of pressure. Pressure is quite essential to learning. When intensity is present, people are more inclined to engage, and engagement is the personal requirement for learning. So, enough challenge to help you pay attention is good. But, whenever possible, this should not threaten your safety.
It is up to you to create a “classroom” where your time and effort produce real, personally meaningful results. Doing so is an empowering way to be more “ready” for life’s learning opportunities.
Create Your Classroom
Creating your classroom begins by building a framework in your mind..
Plan - it takes 15 minutes of uninterrupted time to get into deep thinking and learning. Commit to 15 minutes of focus when you plan or spontaneously turn your attention to learning.
Set-up - Have a journal, calendar, and pen or pencil handy.
Open your Mind - to letting go of what worked yesterday and what brought you to this point. Open your mind to receiving new understandings and visions forward. This is a courageous act, but it is what it takes.
Envision Implementation - in best practice, the commitment you apply to the 15 or so minutes also can prime your mind to act on what you learn, and reviewing your performance going forward.
In this way, learning can be deepened as ideas that strike you become a sensible next step..
This alone engages your critical thinking process as you recognize a need for change and begin to measure the new information to your history (experience) and desires going forward.
Your classroom is set. Move it into action.
What it Takes
Learning is a process. While some processes take moments, others will take years. What it takes to learn is preparing to be a learner, collaborating with information and people, and a willingness to try.
The safer the classroom, from your mindset to the tangible space around you, the greater the capacity you will have to be present, assess your situation and the content, and grow.
