What do Montessori, the Boy Scouts, and business owners have in common?
This is not a joke, but a serious question.
The first two, Montessori and the Boy Scouts are established programs with a proven track record. And of course, like all cutting edge successes, they are not without controversy.
But the controversy is not about the effectiveness of the programs. It’s the other little things that people sensationalize and this conversation obfuscates the proven effectiveness of the programs in people’s minds.
The answer to the question I posed above, is that have three are based on a common theme of learning by doing.
I have been a Boy Scout Scoutmaster and a Montessori Principal. I have been a teacher in every role I have had in my life, including working with my VIP clients in the 6 Figure Trainers & Coaches program.
Learning by doing is also the core of my educational philosophy. Not only is it a part of my being, but it’s also the educational method that produces the best results in all fields and careers.
Learning by doing has several big advantages over any other approach to education and business ownership:
- It allows for and requires experimentation
- It legitimizes mistakes as part of the learning process
- It provides a framework for the human need for exploration, discovery and, creativity
- The learning environment is safe
- Along with the “learning” that occurs, confidence is built
Learning by doing starts with a safe environment, deliberate and directed action, and then a period of reflection. All three components are critical to the learning process. (Being guided here with a coach or mentor is highly recommended, and how I stay on track for my business.)
The most important component is the period of reflection. Which by the way is useless unless you have first had the right mindset (environment) and then took action.
The reason reflection is so critical after your action is because you will make mistakes, have misfires, and experience successes. Mistakes and misfires usually outnumber the success in the beginning, by a large margin.
You can apply this concept today.
Regardless of how you have approached your business in the past, a period of reflection designed like we do in “learning by doing” environments will be of immense value to you.
A reflection period can be done anytime, but at the end of the year, or end of a decade usually feels like a more natural time to do this task. In fact, you’re probably already thinking along these lines.
It’s really quite simple and I encourage you to do in within the next 48 hours, while it’s on your mind.
Here is how to go about your reflection and capitalize on your work.
Take a sheet of paper, or open a page in your word processor, and divide it into three sections. Label the sections Stop, Continue, Start. In your quiet place reflect on the last year and as events come to your mind, put them in the appropriate section on your paper.
Approach this as a stream of consciousness. Get your thoughts out as quickly as they come to your mind, especially if your thoughts are a bit uncomfortable. Don’t overthink anything, place the thought in the first section that comes to your mind.
This whole process should take less than 20 minutes. Keep your draft around and add to it anything that comes up in the next 24 hours. Then use this document as you look forward to next year and the next decade.
Want experienced help with this task? Let’s talk, on me.
Remember, you get results if you take immediate action on your ideas.
