After having a place to learn, we now need to find the time to learn. But that’s the problem. Finding time doesn’t work. Instead of finding time, we have to take time to learn.
We may avoid learning by letting random tasks creep into our schedule. We might also hope that magically a time slot will appear in which we can learn. We don’t plan for it. We let it to chance. If we plan for it and the time comes to learn, we just don’t have the energy to learn. In the end, we get annoyed because we never find the time to learn.
Therefore, here are a few strategies to hopefully help you take the time to learn.
Reduce distractions so that you can have control over your own time. Instead of distractions chipping away precious time from you, you can take these time slots to learn.
What helped me the most was not following random advice like “learn in the morning”. It never works because our lives and personalities are just too different. Learning has to fit into your schedule.
Thus, the goal is to think about the best time to learn for you. Be it in the morning, afternoon or evening. Whichever works best for you. Block that time to prioritize learning.
Ask yourself:
If you find possible time slots, block them for learning. They can also be flexible because life constantly throws unexpected problems at us. Maybe learn in the morning between 8–11 for 2 one hour sessions. This way if something comes up randomly you don’t sacrifice learning. You just move it a bit.
And finally, make learning a highlight of your day. Too often we fill up our day with random small tasks or we plan on doing too many big important things. Both of which steals time away from what matters to us: learning.
While planning your day, make learning a highlight. Ideally, you plan your day the night before or first thing in the morning. Have one highlight, two important tasks and the rest are necessary or random small tasks you have to do.
Having learning defined as a highlight and designing your day by timeboxing will increase the likelihood of you actually doing it. Your highlight will make you feel great at the end of the day.
Now after having a place to learn and taking the time to learn, it is time to plan your learning.
