Stimulating a Lifetime of Learning

Rich Stowell, Master Flight Instructor

 Motivating people to engage in a lifetime of learning is as important as developing their mental and physical skills. Without motivation, the benefits of new learning will become short-lived or worse—learning will stagnate altogether. Consciously incorporating the following interlocked steps into the learning cycle kindles enthusiasm and a desire to learn more:

1. Create the need to learn the skill;
2. Convince learners that they indeed can learn the basics of the skill relatively quickly.
3. Construct an environment where learners can see the skill working as advertised; and
4. Provide learners with firsthand experience­, which is crucial for developing their confidence in the skill and instilling a sense that they can implement the skill with a high probability of success.[1]

In addition, emotionally charged situations tend to produce stronger memories than non-adrenalized situations.[2] Infusing the learning cycle with the powerful effects of adrenaline not only accelerates and memorializes new learning, but it can jumpstart a perpetual cycle of learning as well.

For example, fear of risk-taking is a common barrier to personal and professional growth. Take Flight Workshops maximize the impact of adrenalized learning by eliciting this fear through carefully scripted exercises delivered in a controlled environment. Increased confidence and comfort with risk-taking are among the measurable results. The goal is to empower learners and stimulate within them a lifelong passion to learn and develop such skills as creativity, collaboration, leadership, adaptability, and decision-making.