Do you enjoy reading books and magazines to improve your knowledge on a specific subject? Or do you prefer going to lectures and seminars or listening to CDs to educate yourself further? Maybe you just dive into experimenting and experiencing anything new you want to learn about.
In general, we all have preferences for how we like to learn and process information. I find this fascinating, and have experimented with different types of learning styles to see which is right for me. You may be surprised at how much more you recall when you stimulate different areas of your mind.
When I work with coaching clients, I offer a variety of learning styles to assist with the absorption of information. For example, some might benefit greatly from the one-on-one, personal contact that comes with in-person coaching or coaching by phone. Others may prefer a form of self-coaching that involves reading and engaging in mental exercises on their own. Still others prefer a combination of the two, as the more areas of their brain are engaged, the more information they are able to retain and use.
Most people are a combination of learning styles, with one being dominant. The three primary formats for learning are: visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. It’s useful to know what kind of learner you are as well as knowing what your friends, family, teachers, co-workers, or clients are. The way we learn best is often the way we like to communicate best, so knowing learning styles improves communication as well. (more…)