By Adam Alter We may think that we make our own decisions and think our own thoughts. However, we are strongly influenced by cues in our environment, often without realizing it. Drunk Tank Pink explores interesting associations between “hidden forces” and behavior, including: colors, names, locations, the weather, and the presence of other people. Here… Continue Reading
Temptation: Start gathering content. But instead, let’s make sure there is a need for what we’re teaching (needs assessment). This can happen faster than you think. Is it important? To whom? The individual, the organization (of whatever size), maybe the community (also of whatever size)? In other words, why do we care? This sounds impertinent,… Continue Reading
When it comes to thinking about your audience, whether you’re working on a tight timeline or you have all the time in the world, one thing you can skip is worrying about learning styles. But wait! What? Defining “Learning Styles” First, what does it mean? It’s the “concept that individuals differ in regard to what… Continue Reading
Okay, maybe not always. Still, I gave a talk without slides the other day, and I loved the freedom of it. People were engaged. They gave great feedback. I had a great time. Plus, the sponsor was happy. As I think back to other talks I’ve given without using slides, I enjoyed them more, too.… Continue Reading
Let’s say that you are designing training in a ridiculously short timeline (say, 3 days to get ready for a 1/2-day course or 3 weeks to put together a 3-week course). There are many ways to save time and still have respectable, professional-looking course materials. Of course you’ll do a great (but quick) job with… Continue Reading
How easy-going are we? How often in life—at work or anywhere—does a person do something that we feel hurt by in some way? When that happens, do we feel resentful? Are we actively carrying anger and blame? Forgiving Is Good for Our Health. There’s ample research suggesting that not forgiving others is really hard on… Continue Reading
Years ago, I took a job at a Fortune 500 company that was, at the time, a darling of the press. When I showed up for my first day, I found I was missing some basic things that I needed to be productive: for example, a computer. What did this company do? They built computers.… Continue Reading
Let’s say you have something to do, and you’re not feeling motivated to work on it. Here’s usually why: It doesn’t fit my goals It isn’t interesting It’s so easy, I’ll just do it later It’s so hard, I can’t get it done (well enough, on time, or maybe ever) I’m too distracted It’s not… Continue Reading
Not that this would ever happen to you, but sometimes I find myself with some project that really needs doing, that has needed doing for a while now, and that just won’t get done. Part 2 | Hopelessly Behind? Catch Up Anyway The fix: catch up with a (2+1)✕5 Schedule (your numbers may vary). For… Continue Reading
Let’s say, just for the sake of realism, that there are more things to do in your day than you can get done. Or maybe you just don’t feel like doing the stuff on your list. How to fix? Part 1 | Fend Off the Distractions List your distractions, for example: being sidetracked with email,… Continue Reading
