Understanding Your Learning Style

At 33, you've discovered an interesting piece of self-awareness: you are a visual spatial learner. This realization naturally raises the question of how to make the most of your learning approach. Before diving into specific strategies, it's essential to understand what being a visual spatial learner entails.

What Is a Visual Spatial Learner?

A visual spatial learner thrives when learning involves elements that can be visualized and spatially organized. This learning style is not about learning more efficiently; rather, it involves preference and enjoyment. If you're drawn to visual and spatial aspects of learning, traditional methods may feel less engaging. However, this doesn’t diminish the quality of your learning or your capabilities.

Visual Spatial Learning and Efficiency

Studies have shown that while visual spatialization can enhance the enjoyment of learning processes, it does not necessarily translate to significantly better learning efficiency. Your enjoyment of a method does offer marginal benefits, but the real, impactful strategies focus on leveraging how your brain naturally works. Some of these include: Spaced repetition flashcards (e.g., Anki) Deliberate practice The Pomodoro Technique These methods are specifically designed to optimize the way your brain functions, leading to more effective learning.

Applying Visual Spatial Learning to Your Daily Life

To truly capitalize on your visual spatial learning style, it's crucial to identify and structure your daily tasks. Here are some steps to guide you on this path:

Identify Frequent Tasks

Start by listing the tasks you commonly encounter in both your professional and personal life. Do you memorize information for presentations, or do repetitive actions? Are you struggling with time management, or do you find yourself overwhelmed by information absorption?

Addressing Time Management Issues

Time management is often the root of many problems. Techniques like Pomodoro can help. This method involves breaking work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. This can significantly reduce procrastination and distractions, helping you stay focused and productive.

Improving Information Absorption

For tasks involving information absorption, consider incorporating visual spatial techniques. For example, when using spaced repetition flashcards, you can include visual elements. You might draw a graphic or use a doodle to represent the information. This not only increases your enjoyment but also aids in retention.

Congruity Between Preferences and Techniques

By integrating your preferred learning style into specific techniques, you can enhance your overall experience. For instance, if you decide to use spaced repetition flashcards, you can make them more engaging and enjoyable by incorporating visual elements. This might include doodles, graphics, or even mind maps, which can significantly boost your interest and retention.

Conclusion and Final Advice

To summarize, the real power lies in combining your natural learning preferences with proven techniques. Use time management and learning methods to address specific challenges, and then tailor these methods to make them more enjoyable and effective for you. The ultimate goal is to find a balance that enhances both productivity and satisfaction. While this advice is general, it provides a framework that can be adapted to your unique circumstances. By understanding and harnessing your visual spatial learning style, you can lead a more fulfilling and productive life.

Additional Resources

For a deeper dive into the myth of learning styles, consider watching the following video:

All You Need to Know About the ‘Learning Styles’ Myth in Two Minutes

This video succinctly explains the concept and provides valuable insights for anyone looking to optimize their learning and productivity.