Self Help Tips For Professionals

1. Adopt a positive attitude in learning.
Before you enter a seminar room, remind yourself of your objectives of attending the course. Ask yourself what you want to gain from the course. What would you do with the knowledge gained? Seek to be a good trainee or participant. Do not expect to be entertained with a 'highly-charged' speaker.

2. Reflect on and think through what you hear.
Pick up key points or phrases. Clarify with the speaker if you are not clear. Do not keep it under the table. Relate what you heard with your past experiences so that you may be enlightened.

3. Listen to understand, not to contradict.
Look for the meaning of the points brought forth by the speaker. Verify if not clear. Do not form assumptions. Do not presume.

4. Challenge the idea, never the speaker.
If you believe the points raised by the speaker contradicts your knowledge, verify the points again. Support your views if you are still not satisfied. Prove your case!

5. Check your understanding by asking questions.
Only by asking relevant questions and by contributing your comments, would the speaker be able to gauge your learning progress in the course. Do not feel fearful or embarrass in asking questions. Nobody is going to criticize you. But ask only relevant questions related to the course.

6. Volunteer your views and expertise.
It is beneficial to other participants too, if you share examples from your experiences. This helps others understand the probable application of the course in varying situations.

7. Respect the views of others.
Every participant came from varying backgrounds; varying experiences, have varying values and beliefs. No one person is alike. When a view is brought forth, that participant is right as far as his perspective is concerned. It is the same for you.

8. Disagree agreeably, if you must disagree.
You are entitled to your own opinions and views. In group discussion, courteously explain your disagreement yet respect others' views. If you disagree with the speaker, review point 0ne to Seven.

9. Take notes and review them soon after the learning.
Re-reading notes that capture the main ideas and information from a learning experience soon after will re-enforce and help solidify the learning process. Think and reflect on this information and try to probe it for further insight, engage yourself with the learning process.

10. Ask yourself how the new knowledge can change your future actions.
What are you going to do with the knowledge gained? Where and how could you apply it? What attitude and behaviours will you need to change or adopt in order to apply the knowledge successfully? How would you measure your progress? What results do you expect of yourself?

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