The Learning Trip

Jul 20

Similar to vacations, every learning trip has 2 parts to it:

Often we confuse the two. Let’s understand them better so that every learning trip you take is memorable.

⛰ The Destination

The destination is the learning goal that you are working towards. A destination can look like:

Picking your destination is not easy. Here are some things you can keep in mind to select your destination:

Start with the why
For each of your learning goals, articulate the difference it will make in your life - personal or professional.
Example: I want to learn about neuroscience so that I can design better learning experiences
Relay > Marathon
Instead of picking a huge goal, break down your learning destination into smaller pitstops. This will help you stay focussed and motivated.
Example: I want to learn how to cook a dish → I want to learn how to cook a whole meal → I want to be able to cook everyday
Define success
Often we start learning something without knowing what does success really look like. Have a starting point for this & let the definition may evolve as you learn more!
Example: Writing better = Being able to publish 2 articles every week

If the learning destination focusses on the what and the why - the learning journey focusses on the how.

🚗 The Journey

The learning journey is the path you take to get there. This can include one/ more of the following:

Figuring our the right path for you to learn takes time and effort. Here are some things you can keep in mind to select the right path for yourself:

Constraints first
Ask yourself what do you want to optimise for. Is it learning something as fast as possible? Or going as deep as you’d like? Design your learning path keeping that in mind.
Example: While trying to learn something fast, structured programs like cohort based courses work better than finding rabbit holes on the internet.
Find your partners in crime
One of the fastest way to learn something is by surrounding yourself with people in the space. These could be experts, facilitators, mentors or even peers. Figure out who can help you in your journey.
Example: Learning how to cook a new dish from your mother or a friend rather than just following a recipe blindly
You do you
There is no one right way to learn. Pick formats and methods that have worked for you in the past.
Example: Personally, I prefer reading to watching videos. It’s taken me a while to understand that but now I try to avoid learning experiences that are only videos.

So the next time you’re learning something new, don’t forget to think through your destination ⛰ and journey 🚗!

The best trips are where both are memorable ✨

Learning About Learning

Srishti Sehgal

T-Shaped Learning