7.5 learning habbits 10/29/09

7 1/2 Learning habits

STEP 1. Begin with an end in mind.
OK. here is a major problem for me. I am, by nature, as curious as a ferret. And probably the same amount of discretion. When I discover an new idea or an opportunity to learn a new skill, I leap in with both feet. Dignity is boring!
I have never really waited until it was necessary to learn a skill to fix a problem. if a sill is there for me to grab onto now, I will.
Of course with no real goal in mind to force me to learn I never worry about deadlines.
What can I say? I'm the person who likes to get my term paper finished a week after it's assigned. Now don't get me wrong, I am not an eager beaver, greasy-grind for responsible time usage. It is just that I learned early that I like deadlines (I especially like the cool sound they make when the go whooshing by). It's just easier to fight procrastination by jumping in the deep end and paddling around until you know what you are doing. If I make myself get excited, I wont quit until I get it right. It's very difficult for me to set the "end" artificially, because I'm never as good at anything as I am going be.

STEP 2. Accept responsibility for your own learning.
There's a given! If I'm not learning it I am a) in need of some skill that this skill should be built upon. This means do some review work and find out what I need to do this. Or b) I am not understanding my resource correctly. Do I need additional resources? Time for research.

STEP 3. View problems as challenges.
I love a challenge! If you win regularly, you need a harder game. Failure is where I learn the most, though I prefer to not have challenges that leave scars ( I hate pain and highly disapprove of blood...it means I am probably leaking from somewhere)

STEP 4. Have confidence in yourself as a competent learner. I dunno....competent? Me? Eager, excited, curious, yep I am capable of those. But competent? Maybe...I'll let you know when I feel that I have mastered something.

STEP 5. Create your own learning toolbox.
Tools.....yippee! I love tools! Hand tools, power tools, books, resources, and skills that you pick up when you least expect it, pinch me I am salivating just thinking about them.
My favorite thing is when I find a tool and put it to an unexpected (and generally unrecommended by the manufacturers) use.

STEP 6. Use technology to your advantage.
Back to the tools! Technology rocks! I sooo wanna be a techno geek. Again I find new skills around every corner.

STEP 7. Teach/Mentor others.
I'm not a half bad teacher. I'm not quite great either. I just like to share. When I share what I have learned , the person I shared with gives me all sorts of new ideas....

STEP 1/2 Play!
This is my favorite part! I love to play. You learn so much playing. I especially love non computerized games. Nintendo is OK, but it's so much more fun to play WITH someone real.
I am terrible at most games. this makes me a popular opponent because you get to win more. This is OK because the challenge and the fun is in the game itself, Besides, I learn more with every loss.