Building Better Brains
We all know how to think and learn, right? Not according to Clive Lewis, Director of Illumine, the training company that specialises in thinking, learning and creativity.
Being able to think, learn and work effectively used to be regarded as ‘nice to haves’. This perspective was often combined with the view that our ability to learn, be creative, solve problems, read quickly etc is fixed. These perspectives are no longer accepted. The strengths, skills and qualifications with which we enter employment are extremely unlikely to remain sufficient for a whole career. Many organisations recognise this and put in place a range of training and open learning facilities for managers and staff at all levels. This often represents an enormous investment. Unfortunately, what many organisations fail to do is address the woefully low levels of understanding about how the brain works and how it can be made to work so much better. Failure to address this is akin to giving someone the most powerful computer in the world and not showing them how to turn it on!
Remembering More
One of the mental skills which people bemoan frequently, is that of their memory. The prevailing view seems to be that memory is a fixed skill; we’ve either got a good one or a poor one. The truth is very different!
We remember and forget things according to well understood but little known rhythms. During learning sessions we remember a lot from the beginning, quite a lot from the end, but very little from the middle. Take regular breaks and see a dramatic improvement in the amount you remember (see figure 1).
Figure 1 - the blue line represents the amount we remember when we do not take breaks, whilst the yellow line shows what happens when we do.
It is equally important to systematically review what you learn. The impact on the amount that you remember in the longer term is quite incredible (see figure 2).
Figure 2 - the blue line represents what happens when we fail to review learnt material. 80% of the detail is forgotten within 24 to 48 hours. With regular review the amount retained improves dramatically.
These techniques, especially when combined together, make time spent on both formal and informal learning, significantly more effective and efficient. Of course, if people find that the time they spend on adding to their knowledge and expertise is well spent, they are much more likely to do more of it. So a virtuous learning circle is set up.
In this brief article, we have only had the opportunity of looking at one aspect of building better brains. Reading faster, taking and making more effective notes, unleashing creativity and communicating more effectively, are also aspects of mental effectiveness that deserve to be worked on. Mental effectiveness not only helps people to learn, retain and maintain skills but will also help them to overcome information overwhelm and overload.
We offer a number of techniques to help conquer information overwhelm and build better brains. To find out more please select the relevant link or take a look at our corporate site www.illumine.co.uk.
Mind Mapping - the note-making and note-taking that uses images, colour, words and numbers arranged in a connected, radiant and hierarchical structure. Originally devised as a way of helping people to learn more effectively, Mind Maps® are now used throughout the world to improve the quality of learning, thinking and working.
» Find out more about Mind Mapping courses, workshops and online learning sessions at www.illumine.co.uk/bmap
» Take a look at www.illumine.co.uk/assimilate/mindmapping.html for more information on Mind mapping in business
Speed Reading - gives you the skills to increase reading speed without reducing comprehension or retention to help you save time, read faster, understand better and remember more.
» Find out more about Speed Reading courses and workshops at www.illumine.co.uk/read
Creativity techniques - there are a number of techniques avaialble to help develop new perspectives, generate new ideas and solve proactical problems. Essential for organisations thatneed to achieve and maintain competitive advantage. Creativity isn’t just relevant; it’s essential.
» Find out more about creativity in business and the techniques available at www.illumine.co.uk/innovate
Maximising communication skills - verbal and written communication skills are very important. Getting you message across is no longer about just putting words on paper, or just speaking. It’s all about ensuring that you are getting to the right listener and giving them a message that interests, encaptures and excites them.
» Find out more about our range of communication courses and workshops at www.illumine.co.uk/communicate
Tags: Accelerated Learning, Creativity and Innovation, Improved comprehension, Information Overload, Information Overwhelm, Learning and Studying, Memory, Mind Mapping, Speed Reading, Verbal Communication, Written Communication