Yesterday, I introduced five tools you can use to clarify your learning goal. Today, I'm introducing five additional tools to add to your toolbelt. The set from yesterday align best with professional learning goals. This set is focused on personal learning goals. That said, both are interchangeable.
A learning goal is a clear, achievable statement of something you want to learn or accomplish.
Talk with students enrolled in courses
I do my best to advocate for the teachers and creators I love. Marie Poulin, R.J. Nestor, Tracy Winchell, Laura Evans-Hill, and Ev Chapman are all exceptional teachers and generous with the information they share. If completing a course is your learning goal, talk with students who have completed the course about their experience.
Talk with people who have taken different paths you are considering
When I coach folks thinking about a masters or doctoral program one of the things I require them to do is talk with people who are in or have completed programs at all the schools they are considering. That lived experience is invaluable.
Evaluate the cost of various pathways
A live session with Brene Brown is thousands of dollars (she's worth every penny if you ever have a chance to bring her to your organization). Doing a collective book read of her book Dare To Lead for a 100 person team is less than $2500. There are almost always multiple ways to achieve a learning goal and you may find taking the less expensive path first leads to valuable insights that keep you from investing time and money in the more expensive pathway.
Work with a learning coach
If you're struggling to wrap your arms around a specific learning project, work with a learning coach to help you clarify that project. A learning coach should help you draw out what you want to learn, why you want to learn it, and help you develop a plan to achieve that goal.
Write a letter to future you
Clarifying a learning goal is often about connecting the goal to your priorities. That is often easier thinking about how your life will be better after you have completed the goal. Write a letter from future you to current you talking about how you believe life will be different once you've completed this goal. It may sound weird, but I've reached some of my greatest moments of clarity about what I truly wanted to gain from something by doing this exercise.