Making the most of your learning

At Pro-Development, we're passionate about learning – but we know that’s not the case for everyone. We’ve all had our own experiences with learning in the past and sometimes that can create barriers or unhelpful thinking that hold us back from embracing new opportunities. In this blog, we want to share with you some common blocks to learning that we regularly see, along with hints and tips to help you overcome them.

Before the training:

Aligning your needs with the right training provision:

Managers are always looking for training that helps their people grow and thrive – and that’s where we come in. Our clients talk to us about what they’re wanting to see in their team members, and we advise on the best solutions for them, sometimes we facilitate workshops that we create bespoke sessions tailored to their needs.

Tell us a bit about you:

You’ve seen information on one of our courses, or maybe your manager has suggested you attend a specific training course, what’s next?

We recommend you take a few moments to reflect on what you’d like to achieve from the workshop. Then chat with your manager about what they would like you to take away from the session. We always provide course outlines and a welcome letter a couple of weeks before your training – these explain the content and flow of the day. Take a look and make a note of what you’d like to get out of the experience – bring this with you on the day.
We’ll also ask you to complete a ‘Tell us a bit about you’ form up to two weeks before your workshop. This is your chance to let us know about any learning requirements you have, and of course, tell us what goodies you fancy for lunch!

What will help you get the best out of the day?

At this stage, some attendees let us know about specific learning needs – for example, dyslexia or light sensitivity – and ask for the workbook on coloured paper for instance. Small changes like this can make a big difference, and we’re always happy to help. Others may feel anxious about meeting new people. In these cases, we’ll work with them to create a plan that helps them feel more comfortable – perhaps arriving early, meeting the facilitator, and choosing the best seat for the day. We love to welcome attendees with a cuppa and a biscuit, so they feel settled and ready before the rest of the group arrives. Together, we can even agree on a discreet signal they can use on the day if they need a break, a pause, or a bit of extra support.

Possible barriers to learning:

Not all of us have had brilliant learning experiences in the past – and that’s okay. We do everything we can to create a welcoming, relaxed environment to help you get the most out of the day. We often hear people say they don’t like role play – and honestly, neither do we! We prefer ‘real play’ or running activities where no one or two people are the focus. We focus on real-life situations that you deal with every day, so your learning is relevant, relatable and useful. You may not like speaking in groups, feel self-conscious about spelling or writing, or worry about being put on the spot. Our priority is to make you feel safe, supported and comfortable to learn. If you have any concerns, please just give us a call – we’re always happy to chat and help.

On the training day with Pro-development:

You’ve arrived, met the facilitator and your fellow participants, and are now enjoying morning refreshments. You’ve found your seat, your workbook, your Pro-Development purple pen – and you’re soaking up the good vibes. You’re all set! If you haven’t seen where we are based then take a look at our VLOG. We are based in the fabulous Forest Farm Business Park, Fulford, York (yes, it really is as lovely as it sounds)

How will I remember everything, do I need to take notes?

You will receive a workbook full of useful content and space for you to jot down your thoughts – what you’ll START doing (because it’s a great idea), CONTINUE’ (because it already works well for you) and STOP doing (as it doesn’t work or serve you well). This helps you build an instant action plan to take away and implement. There are even questions at the back to help you create a clear action plan for work.

Love taking notes? Brilliant – capture those golden nuggets!

Not a natural note-taker? That’s fine too. Studies show that writing things down can help with memory, but it’s not the only way to retain learning.

Will it be a ‘pour and snore’ presentation?

We hate those sessions too – don’t worry! We make our workshops interactive, engaging and vibrant – and your energy helps too. Join in the discussions, take part in the activities, ask questions and share your ideas – it all adds value and makes the day flow beautifully. Your participation also helps you connect with others and deepen your learning.

After the Learning: Embedding Your Knowledge

Tips for remembering what you learnt:

Take some time to summarise the key points from the workshop. This helps embed your learning and strengthen your understanding. The saying “use it or lose it” really applies here. Use your ‘Stop, Start, Continue’ sheet and your action plan pointers as a to-do list to help you put your learning into practice quickly. Then pop four reminders in your diary – one a month for the next three months, and one in three months’ time – to reflect, review and celebrate your progress.

Sharing your insights:

Book a follow-up chat with your manager to share your learnings and how you plan to apply them. This shows your commitment, keeps your manager in the loop, and helps keep you accountable. They may even encourage you to share your insights with colleagues – a brilliant way to spread the learning and impact across the whole team.

Update your CPD record to document your growth!

Don’t forget to log your learning in your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) record. This highlights your commitment to growing and helps you keep track of your development for future reference.

Go on, get into your learning zone and book on a workshop!

Learning is a lifelong adventure. Embrace the opportunities to grow, expand your knowledge, and unlock your full potential. So, go ahead, book that workshop, dive into that programme, and embark on your next learning adventure! You’ve got this!

Final Thoughts

We’re passionate about help people grow and develop, if learning is something that you’ve found a challenge in the past, please speak with us as we’d love to support you every step of the way.

If you want to find out more about our workshops or programmes, we’d love to hear from you and catch up over a coffee, give us a call on 01904 628838 or email info@1245881.eu11.myftpupload.com we’d love to support you. Happy learning!