Today’s post is by Gerald Voigt, my husband and business partner. He blogs regularly about business and marketing at Zero To Sixty Marketing and covers scale modeling at Hawkeye’s Squawkbox.
We all learn differently, but one thing we all have in common is the ability to learn by rote – that is, through repetition. Practice makes perfect.
Here’s a simple, but effective formula to gain working knowledge on just about any business task or topic, from copywriting to Web design to social media marketing and beyond. I call this the Triple One Method:
Watch One. Watch someone perform a task or procedure. Here’s one reason online video has taken off. Rather than simply reading about it, we can watch the task being performed. Of course, if that video is backed up with something in writing, you can watch and read, which provides you with another learning channel.
Do One. You’ve been shown how; now it’s time to do it yourself. At first, you’ll probably need some help. Make sure you have someone to turn to with questions and to review your work. Encouragement from a mentor that the job was well done, as well as constructive criticism, will help you to gain proficiency.
Teach One. Teach someone the task. This step helps you not only affirm what you were taught and have practiced, it also helps you build confidence in your abilities.
I’ve found that this systematic approach to learning helps me to more quickly make use of what I’ve learned, and provides me with greater retention of the topic. From the other end of the spectrum, it’s also an effective way to get your point across in a teaching environment.
Photo Credit: pavaranda on Stock.xchng
