How To Set And Achieve A Specific Learning Goal

To learn with direction and motivation, you should set a specific learning goal. Start by considering topics that interest you and write down everything you would like to learn. Then, choose exactly one thing to focus on first and formulate a concrete, measurable learning goal. For example, this could be: “In the next three months, I will learn (…). To achieve this, I will read at least three books on the topic and complete (…).” Then, concentrate fully on this goal until you achieve it before moving on to a different topic in the same structured way.

Once you have formulated your learning goal, you should create a plan. Start by getting an overview of the topic and noting down everything you need to do to achieve your goal. Additionally, research and list the resources and sources you will use to acquire the knowledge, such as books, tutorials, or teachers. Next, create a table with two columns: write each day or week between the present time and your goal’s deadline in the left column, and note what you aim to accomplish on that particular day or week in the right column. A table like this might look as follows:

To ensure you stick to your learning plan, block out a specific period each day or week for study. Make it a habit to focus entirely on your learning goal during these times. Before each study session, read your goal aloud or write it down again, so you are always clear on what you want to achieve. Additionally, consider setting a reward for reaching your goal or for completing each study session to keep yourself motivated. Alternatively, you could set a penalty for missing a study session.

Describe a specific application for the knowledge you are gaining and work towards it. If you are learning a foreign language, for instance, a practical application could be a conversation with a native speaker or a trip to a country where the language is spoken. If you are learning app development, you might have a specific app idea that you want to develop. This approach keeps you motivated and helps you better estimate what you need to learn specifically for your application, distinguishing it from content you don’t necessarily need. Furthermore, by achieving the outcome of your application goal, you can assess whether you have learned enough.

Task
Set a concrete learning goal, create a plan to achieve this goal, and define a specific application for the knowledge you gain.