How to Build Learning into a Busy Schedule
You're busy. I get it. The clients you serve count on you to deliver. The teams you lead look to you for guidance and support. Your board and other stakeholders want reassurance that you know what you're doing. With so many counting on you, it would be easy to overlook the importance of learning. And yet, in a fast-paced, changing world, it's critical to build learning into your schedule. And it's not as hard as you think.
Here's my favorite definition of learning:
Learning is “a process that leads to change, which occurs as a result of experience and increases the potential for improved performance and future learning. ” (Ambrose et al, 2010, p. 3).
The truth is that if we don't build in learning, we're doomed to an endless loop of sameness. And in today's world, sameness isn't a sustainable strategy for improving performance and achieving goals.
But you don't have to allocate a huge block of time for learning. Here are 3 simple ways to build learning into your schedule:
1. Ask questions instead of providing answers
It may seem counterintuitive that, when someone comes to you for an answer, asking questions could be a better use of your time. But think about it. By asking questions, you learn what they know and don't know and can quickly fill in the gaps. And if you help a team member solve a problem by asking questions, over time, that team member will likely become more self sufficient. Voila!! Asking questions becomes a time saver.
2. Build a Review-Preview Process into team meetings
I'm not suggesting more meetings (heaven forbid). I am suggesting that every team meeting agenda (you do have meeting agendas don't you) include what is called a "Review-Preview" process. This process is featured in the book I co-authored, The Surprising Secret to Great Team Results. The Review-Preview process is an iterative process used at team meetings to both review goals set at a previous meeting and preview goals to be completed and reviewed at the next meeting. The process builds in a learning component for both you and the team. Here's how it works:
When this process becomes a regular part of team meetings, goal setting and goal assessment are streamlined and more effective. Voila!! Adding the Review-Preview Process to team meetings becomes a time saver.
3. Add two questions to the end of your day
Take just 2 minutes at the end of each day to ask yourself these questions: "What one thing did I learn today?" and "How will what I learned today help me tomorrow?" This micro-habit, when practiced over time, strengthens the learning mindset needed to quickly re-define challenges as opportunities. Voila!! Two minutes a day actually becomes a time saver as you move right into taking advantage of opportunities and spend less time worrying about challenges.
Yes, it is possible to build learning into a busy schedule. Which one of these ways resonates with you? Which one will you try out this week?
About the Author
Gayle Ely is a Leadership Coach, Trainer and Facilitator who believes Passionate Leadership can change the world. She works with business and non-profit leaders and service entrepreneurs to help them perform more effectively so they and their businesses can thrive.
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