If you have ever gotten into a “zone” when studying or performing a task, you probably felt like the stars had aligned, the ideas and energy were flowing and you were working at a highly productive pace. You might even have lost track of time, because you were so into what you were doing. At times like these, it feels like you are at the top of your game and you are on a roll!
When I accomplish a lot in a condensed timeframe, I feel satisfied, like my mind is working as well as it can. Like a finely oiled machine! I can’t wait until I can replicate that feeling and experience another high-performance output again. Knowing and maximizing your learning style can help you achieve this. I know it’s true. I’ve observed the results personally and have also seen it work for clients and professionals.
Let me start by sharing a simple example from my life experience. I have always been drawn to areas that have a lot of natural light, like windows, as well as interior areas with bright artificial light, as opposed to dimly lit areas. When I don’t have bright light I feel like my brain is not running on all cylinders, so I intuitively search out areas where those options are provided. I’d never seen that reported in black and white until I reviewed my AchieveWORKS Learning and Productivity report.
A second example that may seem rather trivial is that I gravitate toward a traditional desk and chair when I want to concentrate, study, read or write. I’ve learned over the years that when I deviate from this and move to a comfy chair or couch, I tend to become relaxed and prone to sleepiness. Again, this was confirmed on my report.
While these examples may seem simplistic, they are not. Let me share one more to demonstrate the pertinence to academic outcome. I tend to prefer to study and research on my own, in a quiet space and formal setting, with lots of natural or artificial light. I can do group work, but the outcome is not as strong. There are too many variables that I cannot change—the whole matrix of group dynamics, people talking, eating, playing music or taking calls—that interfere with my learning process. All of this was confirmed by my report, which predicts I will have a better outcome when I work alone.
The power of the AchieveWORKS Learning and Productivity assessment report is deceptive. At first glance, the results may look somewhat elementary and simplistic. But having this kind of information allows an individual to influence their overall result in a substantial way, whether it be for learning or productivity objectives. As they gain an understanding of their ideal environment and experience its positive effects, the report’s impact on their performance is indisputable.
Studies have shown that awareness of nuances in the working environment, and supporting an individual’s needs in these areas, can increase positive outcomes in a dramatic way. Over the years, many independent educational consultants have shared with me the numerous ways in which this assessment has assisted their student clients, especially those who are struggling academically, have learning differences, or dislike their present learning or working environment.
As adults, many of us have figured out our best learning pathways by intuition and experience. The value of applying the assessment results is in helping individuals “fine-tune” essential aspects of their environment to create a positive and dramatic outcome in learning and productivity.
From a parental perspective, two specific cases come to mind. These were shared by professional colleagues and involved battles waged between parents and their high school-aged sons over their studying set-ups at home. Both parents were convinced that a more traditional and formal layout, including a desk with a straight chair, lights above or on the desk, less noise and fewer distractions, would increase performance. However, based upon their report results, it was obvious that the boys’ preferences were the exact opposite!
Both students clearly preferred what would be described as a casual setting: working on a laptop with earbuds in their ears or loud music playing in the background, with very dim or no lighting, while relaxing or reclining on a bed, comfy chair or the floor. What transpired was an agreement for a trial period in which the boys were permitted to use their preferred approach. Impressed with the steady improvements that followed, the parents became believers!
When presented with this tangible evidence of the value of the report results, these parents became strong proponents and advocated for their sons’ learning preferences to be accommodated when the boys went on to enter college. I am happy to report that both young men graduated from college and continued their educational journey by enrolling in graduate school.
If you want to ramp up academic success and personal productivity, I strongly recommend you consider AchieveWORKS Learning and Productivity. Its strength is in the totality of its layers—in the awareness that it builds and the depth of its recommendations in the areas of sensory preference, physical environment and mindset. You can see how dramatic the results are! Embracing this assessment and understanding its impact is well worth an investment of your time.
