From Overwhelmed to Organised: Building a Personal Learning Plan
Hi Team,
Have you ever started a learning journey and feel daunted at the scale of the task that lies ahead? This can often be the case with any future learning, whereby the end goal is a distant vision and particularly when learning is an ongoing process. The best way to overcome this feeling is by creating a learning plan with actionable steps and reflection practices.
Set Your Priorities
The first item on the agenda for your personal learning plan is to set your priorities for learning. This may be a very simple vision for what you want to achieve, however in many cases, there is a desire to tackle everything at once. For this reason, it is crucial that we start by understanding what our learning priority is, within the timescales available to us. Look at how much available time you have in your day and what can realistically be covered within these slots. If you need to find more time, then look at tasks that can be removed to prioritise more learning. If you are someone with several skills to learn then a “Not To-Do List”, as covered here, is a great way to set priorities.
Goal Setting
The next step is to set the goals that will steer your learning plan. For a more detailed overview of SMART goal setting, check out this link, which provides an in depth look at the process of goal setting.
As an additional tip, when it comes to your learning plan, every day will be different, and you should use your SMART goals to have clear targets each day. However, there may be days when something unexpected comes up, so consider your daily non-negotiables? These are the items that no-matter what happens you will ensure that this is hit every day. The process of setting this non-negotiable reinforces a habit of learning towards your desired plan.
Learning Resources
Learning effectively requires not just time and effort, but also carefully choosing the right resources. If you are taking part in a structured learning environment (e.g. a course, school, or university), consult your teachers or advisors for their recommended resources.
As a matter of principle, look for well-regarded experts and established resources within your area of learning and check reviews or testimonials to ensure they meet your expectations. For more advanced insights of any subject matter, peer-reviewed journal articles from sites such as JSTOR, will carry interesting insights and higher level views of subject matter.
Advice & Experience
A fantastic way to hone your learning plan is to learn from the experience of others, as well as your own experiences. If you are looking for an external insight into developing your learning plan, identify someone who has been on a similar journey and succeeded. What lessons can you learn from them and their journey? What would be applicable to your journey and is this something that is true to your values if you followed a similar approach? It is important to remember that what works for someone else, may not work for you and your journey, so consider wisely.
Closing Remarks
Establishing a learning plan will go a long way to providing clarity for what lies ahead and provide insight into the best route to success for you. Set your priorities, establish your goals and resources, whilst seeking the advice and experience of others to guarantee the best chance of success.
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