Know yourself and realize your true potential

You’ve probably heard it many times before – everyone’s different.

Have you ever wondered why you are good with faces / places but not names or the other way around? Or neither?

This can all be summed up in one concept – learning styles.

I think this should be covered early in school or taught to a child by parents. So that a kid can understand the core of who they really are and later on discover more easily what they are cut out to do. Teachers especially should all know how this works so they can adapt their teaching methods to suit each student.

There are three types of learning styles. You are stronger in either one of which, but not all:

Visual

VIsuals learn by seeing. They remember best by seeing more than any other way. This is why they’re good at remembering faces, places and read lots of books. There is no doubt they’re good in school as what’s drawn on the chalkboard can easily be absorbed. They don’t struggle that much when reading and memorizing, in fact, they’re good at it. They prefer email over the phone.

Auditory

Derived from the word ‘audio’, auditories remembers by listening. Tell them and they will remember. They’re usually good with names. Introduce a bunch of people in a social setting and the names will stick. You rarely need to repeat when giving them verbal instructions. They also do well in school as they can absorb lectures like a sponge. They’re good at telling stories and are usually good talkers. They prefer using the phone than email. They speak in good rhythms, you’ll feel engaged when hearing them speak.

Kinesthetic

Kinesthetics learn by doing. Give them a hands on demo and they will understand faster than telling them about it. They are practical and like to get their hands dirty. They prefer to fiddle with something until it works rather than reading an instruction manual. They don’t usually do well in school as lectures puts them to sleep. But they delight in dabbling with things and the more they do so, the more they become masters of it.

Why are these important?

Knowing which kind of learner you are prevents you from wasting time on the wrong path. Certain career paths requires certain attributes. An auditory outdoor sales person will likely outdo a kinesthetic one for instance.

Knowing your learning style, you will no long berate yourself for not being the person you aren’t cut out to be. You will no longer wonder why you struggle with certain things.

Can’t remember the directions to the place you’ve been yesterday? That’s because you’re not a ‘visual’. Struggling to remember the sequence of the verbal instruction you’ve just been given? That’s because you’re not ‘auditory’. Not good with being hands on? That’s because you’re not that ‘kinesthetic’.

Know your learning style and use it to realize your true potential.