The Learning Cycle - The Heart of Improvement

HELLO Reader,

Let me tell you about the Learning Cycle. This framework, this cycle, this tool, is at the heart of improvement. I am telling you about it because knowledge of this framework has allowed me to build my resilience, my confidence, my leadership, my business - truthfully, every facet of my life! 

Let me walk you through it …

1. Have an Experience

   This is life. Our life is made up of a series of different experiences, such as playing a game of squash, making some home-made pizza, facilitating a webinar, going on a date, etc. Any and all experiences are grand.

2. Learn

   If we want to improve, we need to look back on that experience and ask ourselves; what lessons did I learn? Digging into that awareness; what did I learn about myself? What did I learn about others? What was meaningful in that situation? Take the time to reflect! Learning lives in the debrief … if we want to improve, we need to reflect on our experiences!

3. Plan

   This step is about looking ahead - what can you do about it? What can you do differently next time? Is there anything you would like to test out? Experiment? Is there an action or a goal that is relevant to that experience? This step is often left out, but if we apply this mindset of action, we can improve anything. You can improve anything!

As you can see, it is a simple three step cycle and at its core is testing. Testing, in this sense, is trying out different ways of doing things; experimenting, practicing. Learning from our successes & mistakes, and then deciding on a route forward.

If you would like to improve, this is a framework that can help you on that journey. Take the time to reflect on your experiences. Then ask yourself - what can you do about it? Test out different solutions and continue going through this learning cycle. Continue Improving!

Have fun!

Helping Young Professionals and Postgraduate Students Improve