An Attitude of Gratitude
November 29, 2008
Thanksgiving came and went and I had not have a chance to pen down my thoughts!
I am grateful that there is at least one official day when we stop and ponder on what we can give thanks for. In reality, there is much to be thankful for, everyday in every way.
This year started with a department-wide retrenchment followed by my venturing into the unknown sphere of building my own business and immersing myself into many different self- development programs. I am learning many valuable lessons in my personal life and my business. And I am thankful for my Trainers, Coaches and Mentors who have worked with me this past year.
There has been so many stages of development with each event that unfolds through the months; some of which were not exactly pleasant. Yet through it all I have learned many precious lessons and grown. Has this been a good year!
The secret of success and abundance lies not in the events but in how I respond to them and how I interpret them. The game is won with the attitude I hold and the actions I take.
I am grateful that I was shown the Warrior’s attitudes which has and will empower me to be the best person that I can be. And as I wish you a belated thanksgiving day, I wish you an Attitude of Gratitude always, for abundance begins with holding an Attitude of Gratitude. Aho!
Everything Is Beautiful
November 25, 2008
What Do I Train In?
To better ensure successful performance of participants I need to not only deliver knowledge but also to consider basing my training on competencies which includes personal characteristics, attitudes, values and personality which are required to perform successfully. Thus we are talking about competencies and not just knowledge.
Competency Based Training has clear Objectives / Results / Benefits
It is important to choose competencies that will enable participants to deliver the results we want. For any training I want to have clear and specific learning objectives laid out so participants know what results to expect i.e. what job or function they can perform upon completing the training or what benefit they can expect upon completion of the course. If this is not clear, it will be difficult to measure the effectiveness or success of the training.
How Is Competencies Based Training Facilitated?
To equip participants with competencies, I provide opportunities for learning by creating an environment where it is alright to be in progress and to be on a continuum of achieving competencies. Instead of seeing things and acts as right or wrong, I rather see them as a work in progress, perfect the way it is and on the way to greater perfection. By having this perspective, I make it very safe for participants to learn and grow.
Everything is Beautiful
Everything and everyone is just perfect and beautiful the way they are and on their way to greater beauty and excellence. I hope this will enable you to learn, grow in confidence and be your best and true self! Here’s to perfection and excellence!
Learning Involves All Of These
November 16, 2008
Our Great Teacher Confucius has this wise saying for us, "What I hear I tend to forget, what I see, I remember, what I do, I understand." Isn’t it true that we forget more than half the things we learned at training workshops and training seminars less than a week into our real lives in the real world?
To fully benefit from any learning experiences it is vital that we have the different components. It is in the doing that we appreciates the wisdom behind the concepts, although light bulb moments often occur as we are in reflection mode.
David A Kolb introduced his 4 learning stages in experiential learning theory that gave further insight into how adult learns. I find it intriguing that we go through different phases in the learning process. If I were to enhance the learning experience for my audience in my training workshops and seminars, I would want to cover as many of these stages as possible for a fuller, richer experience of learning.
Kolb’s model therefore works on a four-stage cycle: br />
1. Concrete Experience
2. Reflective Observation
3. Abstract Conceptualization
4. Active Experimentation br />
So let’s open up to learning, let’s get into discussion, journaling, implementing and experiencing and modeling. And the next time you see Action Items or Field Work from my training seminars or workshops, do go ahead and spend time in completing these as they will enhance yoru overall learning experience. To your learning experience!
This represents a spiral from Experiencing -> Reflecting -> Thinking -> Acting. Experience lead to observations and reflections (absorbed and translated) into abstract concepts with implications for action, which the person can actively test and experiment with, which in turn enable the creation of new experiences.
Thus, for any effective learning to take place, I want to incorporate as many of these components in our curriculum as possible. This is particularly so if I want to cater to the different learning styles of the individual learners as some learn better through observation while others learn by actual hands on doing of the concepts discussed.
Without going into lengthy scholarly and academic discussion of the adult learning theory, the application for me here is to ensure that any curriculum I design will cater to these components so my adult learners can have the fullest learning experience. I want to make room for the various faculties to take in the leaning process, absorbing and assimilating the learning into the cells of their being.
As the great Teacher, Confucius would also say ""By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by Reflection, which is noblest; Second, by Imitation, which is easiest; and third by Experience, which is the most bitter.
So whether you are reflecting or imitating or going through some fiery trials, know that life is teaching you precious lessons which if you do not resist but allow yourself to complete the cycle of learning, you will come out wiser and stronger and on a different plane of learning altogether.
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