The Best Way to Learn Anything
I would like to share with all of you something that I have learned from listening to the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” audio program by Dr Steven Covey. (I have it in my Zen V Plus for the past month or so!)
Now of course that audio course was meant to teach to me the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and I hoped that by listening to it over and over again (it’s 3 hours long!) I would start to properly absorb the information that I’m supposed to learn.
But one thing did strike me, and it was mentioned in the early stages of the program. The most effective way to benefit from this book/program is to:
- Â Learn
- Â Teach
- Â Do / Live
“WHAT? Teach it to people after you’ve learned from this course? I haven’t even implemented it in my own life yet and you want me to tell others what to do?”
Heck, I had that reaction when I first heard it. But what he presented was a very interesting point.
What if I were to teach you everything I know about Internet Marketing, or Financial Management, or whatsoever skill you might require? You would naturally start to learn and study.
But what if I were to tell you that you had to teach someone else the things that you’ve learnt from this course?
You would begin to panic! But only for a short while. A sense of responsibility is now bestowed upon you as others are looking towards you to teach them. You will start to absorb much better and your sense of responsibility will push you to learn more about a subject so that you would be able to put forth a credible performance of a teacher.
In Dr Covey’s words, “your paradigm would change”. The way you view things would be drastically different because of the different circumstances that are put forth before you.
You can use this method anywhere and anytime. Teach at least 2 different groups of people the things that you’ve learnt, like your loved ones and your co-workers. You will inevitably gain further understanding in the material.
Now, you don’t just have to do this on your own. Get your school-aged children (or siblings, if you have any) to teach you what they have learned in school for that day. I assure you, as well as Dr Covey, that your child will develop a sense of responsibility that will even supersede the dislike of certain teachers. Your child will take pride in teaching his/her parents and will learn much much better.
Of course, after teaching anyone certain life skills, it would be best that you listen to whatever lesson it was that you’re teaching! After all, you have placed your integrity on the line as well, to complete the learning process of the lessons you have taught!
Cheers!