What Learning Style Fits You?

Why is it important to know your learning style? Understanding the way you learn can affect your life as well as your career. You can use these skills and apply them to almost any aspect of life. Maybe you use more than one learning style. The styles are visual, auditory, and  kinesthetic. The information provided here will help you determine which one is more dominant. Once you find your learning style your life will become more fulfilled. You will find yourself understanding your children, family and friends better.

What Learning Style Fits You?- The Visual Learner

People who are visual usually sit towards the front and take thorough notes that are important to them. Sometimes they need to picture it in their mind for it to make sense. It can be necessary for the visual person to step away and watch videos, slide shows, or television to gather their thoughts. Visual people like to experience their accomplishments from what they have learned. The use of color helps interpret the visual aids used during seminars, webinars, or slide show events. It is important to the visual learner to focus all their energy and attention on the material that is being presented.

What Learning Style Fits You?-The Auditory Learner

An auditory learner is someone who doesn’t need to be in the front as long as they can hear what is being said. Auditory learners dress differently with various colors. They like to whisper a tune; prefer to talk to themselves, and others when they are bored. Auditory learners read out loud to understand the material in their own mind. Communication is very important to the auditory learner.

What Learning Style Fits You?-The Kinesthetic Learner

Kinesthetic learners need to be able to take frequent breaks. They use their body language to express themselves. They seem to have trouble recalling or retaining what is being said. What do they do when they are bored? They enjoy doing different tasks or multi-tasking which helps them to perceive better. Kinesthetic learners need to be able to escape when in a confined area. You might find that they are more comfortable doing things outdoors. Kinesthetic learners are more likely to give you a hug as a way of expressing themselves. They also, love to be recognized for a job well done.

Here is my challenge to you.  What learning style fits you?

How Well Do You Really Listen?

How well do you really listen? What type of listener are you? Here are some examples of the different kinds of listening skills. Some people listen and just go through the emotions. This is called Pseudo-listening. Some listen to only those parts of the message that directly concerns them. This is called Selective Listening. Another kind of listener; is the one who mentally rehearses their answers while the other person speaks. This is called Self-centered listening.  Perhaps you weigh what has been said to see if you agree or not. You start the process with informational listening to make sure you have all of the facts.  You can then evaluate the facts, evidence, and the speaker’s credibility.  This is called Evaluative Listening. Tell me, “How well do you really listen?” With all of the various types of listening none of them are one hundred percent focused on the speaker at all times. Most people are preoccupied with other things or multitasking while attending seminars, webinars, conferences, just to name a few. How well do you really listen?

Listen and You Will Sharpen Your Skills

Now that I have your attention. Let us talk about how you can sharpen your skills as you listen. What is an effective listener? Those who encourage silence, never interrupt, listen without filters or judgment. You want to become a solution oriented listener. Listen for what is not being said. Resist the temptation to rebut.  

Here are a few tips:
• Concentrate on what is being spoken. Ignore the speakers speech impediments.
• Look for areas of common interest on what is being spoken.
• Shut out all background noises. Such as: fans, the voices of other people, music or other extraneous noises.
• Don’t let words bother you that you find offensive they will shut you down mentally. One example of that might be when someone uses a curse word. Try and look past that so, you can take away the beneficial information.
• Occasionally re-iterate what the speaker informed you of.
• Wait until the person has fully completed a thought before you reply. This prevents you from jumping to  conclusions and unnecessary misunderstandings.
• Ask open-ended questions such as: Could you tell me more about that? Remember Who, What, When, Where? Why? and How?
• Don’t be overwhelmed by chit chat. Listen for the main points in the conversation. You have to sift a lot of dirt before you find a nugget of gold. Patience and listening intently, the nugget will than appear.

Practicing these various techniques will help you to achieve more. Listening is a very important skill without it we would not learn anything. Sharpen your listening skills to be the best you can be.

Listen and Reap the Benefits

When you listen what are some of the benefits you hope to gain? You want to gain some higher education than you previous had, right? When you listen properly you can gain a lot more. You can help other people with your knowledge of what you learned when you listen correctly. You can remain patient and supportive and show that you truly care about that person and that you are listening to them. You need to ask questions to get clarification from the speaker. When listening intently you can also pick up on any hidden agendas or lies without being adversarial. You can actually listen and reap the benefits that you put into it.

As a general principle, it is probably better to do more clarifying than less, even when you think you do understand what is being said. When enough sincere questioning, listening, caring and remembering are brought together, understanding is achieved. If you have questions you can contact me here.

Now I ask you again, “How well do you really listen?”