Bridging the Gap from Desired Future State to Tangible Goals

Thank you for continuing your learning journey in this 5-part series, where I share key skills from my popular Pluralsight course, "Navigating the Challenges of Change in Your Work Environment."

Let’s dive into the next step toward navigating the challenges of change together!

Connecting the Dots

So now, for those of you who are thinking, "Okay, I get it, Alice. I understand how the dots align, and the benefits of embracing change by elevating my learnability certainly seem worth it (see parts 1 & 2 of this series), but where do I go from here?"

Step One:

The first step is to identify your starting point. If you missed the self-discovery quiz that gauges your starting point, download 'The Learning Latitude Quiz' here.

Discoverers, Dabblers, and Questioners

We all recognize that some of us on this call are already deeply engaged in our own journey of lifelong learning.

I refer to this group as Discoverers—individuals who intentionally seek out new discoveries every day, always looking for something new to learn. They are already far along the path of a lifelong learning journey.

Then, there are those I would call Dabblers. They engage in continual learning occasionally—perhaps when the stars align or when something piques their interest.

Finally, some of us are in the beginning phase of our learning journey. This group I refer to as Questioners. For them, the desire to embrace continual learning is just starting to emerge, and they are exploring which learning paths to pursue.

Regardless of where we are on our learning journey, it's important to understand that it can be easy to lose motivation and fall off the path. Distractions, burnout, and competing priorities can all contribute to setbacks or stalls in our learning endeavors.

Step Two:

Once you've identified your starting point, the next step is to imagine your desired future state. Too often, we jump straight into goal setting or building out a personal learning plan without dedicating time to this step. Taking time to imagine your desired future state allows you to focus and pinpoint the specific actions and goals needed to move from where you are now to where you want to be.

Example:

If my ultimate goal is to elevate learnability and achieve this by becoming a lifelong learner, I might start by creating a list of attributes that lifelong learners typically possess.

• Approach Life with a Growth Mindset: Lifelong learners are purposeful about approaching all aspects of their lives with a mindset focused on growth and continuous improvement.
• Set Learning Goals: Lifelong learners establish goals to develop both hard skills (technical expertise) and soft skills (emotional intelligence). They understand the importance of balancing IQ and EQ.
• Engage in Self-Reflection: They regularly reflect on daily life experiences, identify lessons learned, and think about how to apply those insights for personal growth.
• Seek Feedback:?Lifelong learners ask for feedback to uncover blind spots and gain a better understanding of their strengths and areas for improvement.
• Network with Others: Building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and industries provides lifelong learners with new perspectives and opportunities for growth.
• Take Courses and Attend Workshops: They value formal learning opportunities, such as classes, certifications, and workshops, to deepen their knowledge and skills.
• Collaborate with Others: Lifelong learners initiate opportunities to work on projects with others to gain fresh insights and expand their learning horizons.
• Read Regularly: They broaden their knowledge by reading books, articles, and other materials on a variety of topics, keeping their minds sharp and informed.
• Experiment and Take Risks: Lifelong learners take calculated risks to discover new ways of learning and overcome their fear of failure.
• Learn from Failure: They view failure as a natural part of the learning process and a valuable opportunity for growth and development.
• Surround Themselves with Other Lifelong Learners: Lifelong learners create a network of like-minded individuals and encourage those around them to embrace learning.
• Engage Curiosity: They ask meaningful questions to spark conversations, deepen understanding, and improve their overall learnability.
• Pursue Diverse Passions and Interests: Having a range of interests and embracing varied cognitive learnings allows lifelong learners to connect with others intelligently and elevate their emotional IQ.
• Stay Updated on Industry Changes: They recognize the importance of staying current with trends and advancements in their field.
• Step Out of Their Comfort Zone: Lifelong learners leave their comfort zones to gain new perspectives, spark creativity, and foster personal growth.

Step Three:

Once that list is complete, I can identify the areas where I don’t excel and prioritize those areas when setting my goals.

Elevating learnability is defined as the small and simple steps we take daily to improve our ability to show up just a bit better tomorrow.

It’s easy to see how taking time to imagine our desired future state—by reflecting on the traits and attributes we want to develop—enables a more effective goal-setting process.

This reflection provides a roadmap for our learning and personal growth, ensuring that our time and efforts are invested in activities that bring us closer to our desired future state.

Step Four:

Step number four serves as a reminder to measure progress, as goal setting never comes alive if we forget to track and evaluate our achievements.

Lifelong learning is an ongoing process that enriches our lives and prepares us for the challenges ahead.

Purposefully working to elevate our LQ helps ensure we are better prepared to navigate the gears of change.

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Additional Resources: Navigating the Emotions of Change

Additional Resources: Common Responses to Change