Clarify your learning goal before buying that course
This is the third essay in my series on defining and implementing a personal learning project. Check out my previous essays — and follow along with the full series.
I just pulled up my list of online classes and I hate to tell you how many I’ve purchased — especially if you ask me to also share how many I’ve completed. My completion rate is somewhere around 10% — and that’s if I’m lucky.
This is a serious problem!
I’ve started getting very clear about my learning goal before I purchase a class, book, or other learning tool. This way, I can make sure this class supports that learning goal.
A learning goal is a clear, achievable, statement of something you want to learn or accomplish. They can be big or they can be small. Here are a few examples:
- I will learn to use Obsidian in order to manage my writing workflow
- I want to speak conversational Spanish so that I can navigate with confidence on my upcoming vacation to Spain
- I will earn my CCMP (Change Management) Certification so that I can apply for roles that have that as a requirement
- I want to communicate ideas using visuals more effectively in my presentations and facilitation
Identifying a clear learning goal BEFORE you start gathering resources provides focus so that you use your time and money more effectively.
Plans for an online course around this series are already taking shape for me.
Would you take a course on the topics I’m discussing in this series? If so, what would you want it to include.
What’s a learning goal you have right now?
What course have you bought and never started? (My list is very long!)
Read this post and more on my Typeshare Social Blog
