Learn Better Now! Here Are 3 Conditions That Help You Learn (& Teach) from the Writing Yoga® Method
May 14, 2024Even if you don't have "teacher" in your job title, you are learning something new and teaching others all the time. Think about when you get a new phone, appliance, or computer upgrade. Think about being on the phone with customer service as they try to explain why the smart lamp you just purchased only works when you do jumping jacks.
Dealing with new technology is one of the biggest complaints I hear from my clients and also one of the best examples of how humans learn. When you have to figure out how something works on your own, you have a much better chance of remembering how it works and in turn, sharing your knowledge with others.
Having said that, If we don't have supportive people around us, the opposite happens. When the know-it-all tech person loses patience, we can't think straight! We may even start saying things like, "I'm too old for this." or "Just do it for me." or "I stink at technology, ask my kids."
Life is moving fast and tech is here to stay, so it's your choice to learn the easy way or the hard way. According to our research at Writing Yoga®, here's how people learn:
Condition #1 That Help People Learn Better: Finding People Who Nurture And Support Them
The learning process is not just about acquiring knowledge or skills; it's about the environment in which you learn, too. The presence of mentors, teachers, peers, or friends who genuinely care about your progress can make an incredible difference in your growth. These supportive figures create a space where you feel comfortable making mistakes, asking questions, and exploring new ideas without the fear of judgment. When people feel nurtured, they’re more likely to take risks, engage deeply, and push beyond their limits.
Plus, being around people who genuinely want to see you succeed often means you're exposed to diverse perspectives and resources that help your learning experience. They may share insights you hadn’t considered, point you toward new opportunities, or even model new behaviors and attitudes that you can learn from.
Finding people who nurture and support you truly provides the emotional and intellectual foundation needed for effective and lasting learning.
Condition #2 That Help People Learn Better: Laughing At Themselves And Making It Fun
Learning can be challenging, filled with moments of confusion and mistakes. However, embracing these moments with humor can change the entire experience. When you learn to laugh at yourself, you remove the weight of perfectionism, allowing yourself to relax and focus on the journey rather than the destination. This light-hearted approach fosters resilience and keeps you from feeling discouraged when things don’t go as planned.
Making learning fun not only enhances motivation but also improves retention. When you enjoy what you’re doing, you’re more likely to stay engaged, curious, and willing to explore beyond what’s required. Whether it's incorporating games, using creative projects, or simply approaching each challenge with a sense of playfulness, making the learning experience enjoyable turns it into something to look forward to rather than a chore to complete.
By not taking yourself too seriously and allowing room for fun, you create a space where creativity, growth, and genuine understanding flourish.
Condition #3 That Help People Learn Better: Testing, Experimenting, Making Mistakes, and Figuring It Out Eventually
True learning often involves stepping into the unknown and trying things that may or may not work. Mistakes are an inevitable part of experimentation, and instead of seeing them as failures, it’s important to view them as valuable learning opportunities. Mistakes provide feedback that helps you adjust your approach and understand what does and doesn’t work. Each time you encounter an error and work through it, you build resilience and develop problem-solving skills that go beyond rote memorization. This process also fosters adaptability, which is crucial in today’s fast-changing world where the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn is more important than ever.
Figuring things out eventually, even after multiple attempts, brings a sense of accomplishment and reinforces the notion that learning is a journey rather than an instant result. It teaches patience and the importance of persistence, helping you build confidence in your ability to overcome challenges. This iterative process of testing, experimenting, and learning from mistakes allows you to develop a deeper and more nuanced understanding of any subject, ultimately leading to more meaningful and long-lasting learning outcomes.
What Condition Is Best For You To Learn Better?
Humans are social creatures and we learn best in supportive environments. We learn when we enjoy ourselves and don't take life too seriously. We learn by actually doing what we need to learn. Failure isn't fun, but it is a great way to make learning stick.
What do you think? I made a short video about this topic so please check out my new YouTube channel and post your ideas in the comments. As I've said, we learn best in community settings and YOU are my community.
Thank you for teaching and learning with me! - Stef
Are you a school administrator or librarian who wants to test out these three conditions for yourself?
Remember to sit, write & move each day for a calm, creative & more compassionate life. #SitWriteMove. If you want to learn more about Writing Yoga® Method, feel free to check out my course right here. This interactive course will help you jumpstart healthy and creative practices to: 1) Reduce stress 2) Write and 3) feel luminous.
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