Last week on the podcast I discussed the love of learning. But, as always, learning is one thing and practical application is something completely separate. 

With that in mind, this week’s podcast is devoted to some practical examples on how to use learning to improve.

True learning for whatever it is that we want to improve comes down to our ability to ask ourselves questions. To learn in the moment, we need to have a level of awareness and challenge ourselves with the difficult questions that are so easy to ignore. 

For those not listening to the podcast, here are the three things I highlight: 

First - Preparation. 

I use running as the example on the podcast. But in order to get started, you have to prepare and that includes the “why.” If you want to start running - ask yourself the “why” question. Is it because of self image and you want to get in shape? Is it because you want to lose weight? Is it because you want to impress another person? All of these questions will impact your ability to take running (or anything other habit) on. You may find that running isn’t the right answer, after all.

Second - Collect Data.

Businesses use data to make big decisions - why aren’t you? 

Data has to go through iterations. From data you have to garner information, which you have to turn into knowledge, which you then have to move to wisdom. It’s called the DIKW pyramid.

For example, knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad. 

If you want to start a running regimen - track everything. Each day, write down your distance and time that you ran. Put some notes on what was good or not. 

There are two types of data here - both have value. Objective data (time/distance) and subjective (feelings). Both of these provide value as to why you are or are not moving towards your goal. This is true for running, writing a book, launching a business. If you did not do what you wanted to today - ask yourself why. You may realize you don’t want to do it.

Third - Learn in the Moment

Use the data to make decisions in the moment. If you always end your run at a certain spot, maybe challenge yourself to go a different distance. If a distance isn’t challenging enough, maybe run for a certain amount of time. Each of these will change up the perspective and help keep it interesting. 

If you find every Tuesday you go slower than the other days, maybe something is impacting that. If you find that you are only going twice a week, but want to go five, you can ask yourself the question of what’s impacting your ability to get it done. 

We all have these amazing ideas and lists of things we want to accomplish. But if you aren’t focused on it daily, or weekly, then it will always just be an idea. 

I hope the examples on the podcast were helpful! Enjoy the week!