· with positive expectancy,

· with a pen in hand taking notes,

· with a desire to hear not only what is being said, but also what it can trigger in your imagination, and

· with a "How can I use this?" attitude.

Positive thinkers are open to new information and are constantly looking to apply that new information in ways beyond what their teachers, mentors, or coaches could have ever imagined!

The final enemy of information retention is lack of follow up. The lack of follow-up is the hardest hurdle to overcome because it requires structure and accountability. People need a follow-up plan to put their know-how into action! To change behavior and get results, you need structure, support, and accountability.

We've all heard the old adage, "Practice makes perfect!" My father always said it this way, "Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect!" When you learn something new, start practicing it right away. The more quickly you use a newly acquired skill, the more likely you are to master it. This practice is even more effective when you partner yourself with a mentor or coach help to you "perfect" your learning, who can journey with you through your growth process and encourage you - even when your progress is only mostly right! That encouragement and coaching can be the reinforcement for you that closes the knowing-doing gap.

Once you can reprogram your thinking and overcome the enemies of information retention, you have the ability to take your knowledge one step further . . . share what you've learned and teach others! Then you solidify your own knowledge and beliefs and become a part of someone else's change. That can make all the difference!

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