Mind Hacks to Make Studying Easier
Mike Griffiths is an experienced project manager, author and consultant who works for PMI as a subject matter expert. Before joining PMI, Mike consulted and managed innovation and technology projects throughout Europe, North and South America for 30+ years. He was co-lead for the PMBOK Guide—Seventh Edition, lead for the Agile Practice Guide, and contributor to the PMI-ACP and PMP exam content outlines. Outside of PMI, Mike maintains the websites www.LeadingAnswers.com about leading teams and www.PMillustrated.com, which teaches project management for visual learners.
What if you got a little buzz of guilty pleasure every time you thought about studying for your exam? What a difference that could make compared to the soul-numbing dread of having to do something you do not enjoy.
Our minds have systems to protect us and maximize our well-being. They do not always work, but overall, these mechanisms reinforce memories of good events and minimize negative ones. We can use these systems to make studying more enjoyable and effective.
By going out of our way to make studying pleasurable, we begin to dread it less, then feel neutral about it and eventually enjoy it. Things you enjoy are not chores; they are more like hobbies. But how the heck do you enjoy learning about earned value or resolving team conflict? To many people, these topics represent all the junk we deal with at work and what we try to escape in our personal time.
The key is to separate our emotions about the subject matter from the learning experience. Focus on making the studying enjoyable. Everyone likes different things, so chose what works for you. You could buy that indulgent chocolate that’s too expensive to justify and have a square when you start and every 15 minutes of study. You could get a fancy note book for your preparation and a posh new pen. If you like working in social settings, then find a great coffee shop and buy that mocha latte you know is …
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"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell |
