What stops you from learning new stuff?

As I started this post I was wanting to research, to quote great educators, to refer to theories of pedagogy, but all that has been done before. Instead I will offer what I have learned from my observation as a trainer.

In the past 5 years I have trained over 1000 people aged from 17 to 65, normally spending between 2 to 3 weeks with them. My training has usually been at the point where they are starting a new job and sometimes a new career. And I've observed trainees struggle and sometimes even quit when they have to learn new things.

Let me tell you about the characteristics of a struggling or failing trainee;

1. They believe the rules. The rules say that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". Sometimes the rules even say "I never did well at school" and "I'm just not good at this sort of thing."
   
2. They don't understand themselves. People learn in different ways, but instead of identifying and capitalising on their strengths (like being able to remember conversations word for word), they focus on their weaknesses (like reading something 4 times and still not understanding it), and therefore their failures.
3. They look around them for the reasons they are struggling. There is always a problem - the person sitting next to them is distracting, the lines in the workbook are too close, the questions aren't clear and the whiteboard is hard to see.
4. They are always looking for better options. They have prepared an exit plan. There are many self-help books that talk about "being present" and these people never seem to "be present".
5. They are scared. What happens if they say something that is wrong? What if they let someone down?
   

You might recognise some of these traits from the last time you had to learn something new, and it doesn't have to be classroom learning! When they changed Facebook, when you got that new set-top box, when your kids needed help with their homework. In a training room your trainer might be able to help you, but in the real world, only you can change the voice that says "I've never been good at this sort of thing. There's too much reading. Someone else can do it better. I'll never get it..."

Once that voice stops it's amazing how quickly you can pick up new things!

My next post will talk about some of the characteristics of some great learners I have trained and met.

Procrastination

This morning I sat at my desk for a good couple of hours squinting at the computer screen and leaning in to get a fuzzy focus on what I was doing. So why didn't I go to the lounge room and get my glasses? Or the bathroom to put my contacts in??
I eventually did, and this is how it went;

• I last saw my glasses on the coffee table, but the breakfast dishes are still there too
• Took breakfast dishes to dishwasher but was still full of clean dishes
• Unpacked clean dishes, packed in dirty dishes
• Cold feet, so need socks
• You know what really warms up cold feet? A nice warm cup of coffee!
• Now that the coffee is ready I have a grumbly tummy. Maybe a piece of toast will fix that.
• Don't want crumbs on the keyboard so I'll just take a tea-break in the lounge room
  
• Look! There's my glasses... Better put them on before I forget
• Pat the dog... oooh, there's that lumpy thing on her ear. Better call the vets!
• I could put a load of washing in too while I'm working - I can hang it out at lunch time and that is multi-tasking, right?
  

So as you can see, staying put and squinting was actually a good thing this morning! During the week I leave at least one pair of glasses in the office, so it's only a Monday thing for glasses. Other days it's a pair of socks, a glass of water, a tissue, a blog that needs updating... all while the filing waits patiently.
(And in case you're wondering, this doesn't derail my day! For me right now "work/life balance" is about combining work and life, not separating them.)

Elections: Does the tail wag the dog?

As an avid people watcher I have to admit that times like this provide me with LOTS of entertainment. From watching the crazed ramblings of dysfunctional EX-politicians (or should I say dysfunctional journalists!!) to the way we all want to know what's in it for us.
I know that politics are supposed to be a taboo subject, but in this era of social networking I refuse to tiptoe around "taboo" when it's on most people's facebook profile.

"Political View: can't trust any of them!"

The same sentiment is all over facebook profiles. Back in the day you were either Liberal/National, Labor, or you didn't use deodorant and ate lentils. Now the lines are blurring and we just don't know. But one thing is certain, our democratic politics is changing forever. And the one thing that we all believe is that whatever their election promises are, there's not enough in it for me, and they won't keep half of them anyway.
There are a few myths however that are subtly doing the traps.

1. The only time to approach a politician is when they are in election mode. WRONG! We elect them to represent us. We can put our requests and concerns to them at any time, in fact election time is probably the time when they are MOST distracted. Try contacting them through the year... and if you're looking for a response from your local member, you may not get it this week!
   
2. They tell you what they stand for, and you either vote them in or not. WRONG You can sway your local member's opinion. If enough local members are swayed they will take it to their party and then tp parliament. Whether we elect Bob, Tony or Julia, if they can't professionally put their own opinions and feelings aside and voice the opinions of their constituents, they are in the wrong job!
3. We vote them in, we pay their wages... this gives us the right to tell them what we think of them. WRONG! You will always get a better response by treating them with respect. I wouldn't do their job for quids. Unless you are willing to run for politics yourself you should get off your high horse, look them in the eye and speak to them the way you would like to be spoken to. In fact, start with something positive, even if it's to say "You are incredibly brave doing this job!"
   
4. In a Federal Election you vote for the Prime Minister. WRONG! And every time I hear one of the candidates say "I will..." or "My government..." I want to leap down the TV and remind them that I am voting in a representative who can then elect the Prime Minister of their choice. We are not in America voting for a President! We should be reminded of this with Kevin's recent departure.
   
5. We only discuss PM Julia Gillard's appearance because she's a woman... discrimination!! HELLOOO! How short our memory is! Kevin Rudd - the milky bar kid; Tony Abbott - budgie smugglers and cycling shorts; John Howard - eyebows and tracksuits; Paul Keating - Italian suits; Bob Hawke - Aaaaaaarrrrgh... Do I need to go on? (in the interest of not showing favour to the one woman amongst the names mentioned I've just got one word - earlobes!)
   

You might think I'm naive and idealistic, and maybe you're right, but before you whinge to me about politicians and election promises answer me this;

When did you last thank a politician, speak to them politely, sent them a polite, succinct letter and make a suggestion to help them better represent you?

My growing vocabulary

I've learned 3 new words lately... and some new fashion trends I think. Actually, they are not new fashion trends. They are hybrids, revivals and... although clothes-related not really what you could call "fashion" or "trend".

• Jeggings: These are particular favourite. The stretch and comfort of the legging, the look of the jeans. Unlike jeans you can wear them all day and not get saggy knees, baggy butt...
  

• Snood: Warmth like a scarf but can be pulled up over the head like a hood. Actually, I thought any old scarf could be pulled over the head like a hood, but that's just me. Me and Jackie Onassis and hundreds of other women. (and some men, Nik Kershaw!)

• Onesies: No, not a toilet report! Onesies are the name for the little one piece playsuits that babies wear... that are being made in adult sizes!! It's like the Snuggy but with legs and hoods and sometimes feet. Oh yeah, butt flaps are almost a standard feature, a two way zip at the front for the gents, and "you can fit three 12oz beverages of your choice in each pocket." Yes, one trip to the fridge and you can stock up for the night! Or wear it to a party and you won't have to take the esky...

And so my vocabulary grows. Other words added recently are "pulchritudinous" and "mamihlapinatapai". If I can get those 2 words into conversation (preferably on a date) I'm buying myself a onesie!

Pareto's Principle

Most people these days are aware of Pareto's principle. You may know it as the 80-20 rule. Simply put it means that 80% of effect is from 20% of the causes.

Vilfredo Pareto came across this when he worked out that roughly 80% of property in Italy was owned by 20% of the people... and then that 80% of the peas in his garden were in 20% of the pods... typical economist, he couldn't just enjoy the garden!

So I occasionally share Pareto's obsession. It started with some business interpretations (untested!);

• 80% of your income will come from 20% of your clients.
• 80% of referrals will come from 20% of your clients.
• 20% of your clients take up 80% of your time. (Ruthlessly get rid of this 20% and regain 80% of your time? I like Tim Ferris's concept in 4 Hour Wk, but do the number in your own business before you get rid of clients!)

So the next logic step for my curious mind is to take that equation to other observations.

• 80% of the icecream will be eaten by 20% of your household
• Under the Christmas tree 80% of gifts will be bought by 20% of people
• At a dinner party or backyard bbq 20% of your guests will drink 80% of the drinks
• 20% of your home will need 80% of cleaning
• 20% of your clothes will be worn 80% of the time

So next time you notice an 80-20 principle in progress, or you read a business paper that refers to it, thank Pareto for his simple observation.