I’ve recently begun learning my way around some new to me apps and computer programs. If I am learning a new skill, I do A LOT better at retaining the information if I get to “play” when I practice using it.
When we play, we have an opportunity to get “in the zone” where we can more effectively retain the information, as well as enjoy a creative outlet that lets our true nature shine through.
We all know that children learn by playing, but many forget this applies to adults, too! Not only that, we can “play” when we are learning in the workplace, and the end results of well-focused play (i.e. your newly acquired skills) will likely bring a bright smile to your supervisor’s face.
I remember many, many years ago in my career working for a local nonprofit when I was asked to learn the basics of PowerPoint so that I could assist my supervisor if she needed me to lend a helping hand with something she was putting together. She made loads of amazing presentations for the organization we worked for, many of which are probably still floating around in old E-mails, informational publications and the like. I had never used PowerPoint before and well, you need to start somewhere, right? I began digging into the program and a few slides or so later, I had created the best basic PowerPoint presentation EVER. . .about my cat. No, not about corporate subjects; it was about my overweight orange cat. He was a character that fellow, and very much loved, so why wouldn’t I want to have him as my subject? I found a cartoon picture of a cat that resembled him so I tossed it on there. I talked about his many fine qualities using well placed bullets and text boxes, and highlighted how his diet had recently been changed to promote weight loss. The couple of hours I spent making this ridiculous thing had me enthusiastically cracking myself up at my desk, and when my fabulous supervisor emerged from her office and saw what I did, we had a hearty laugh together, too! This little presentation had continuity and simplicity with its images and text, with just enough color pop and flair in its design to hold interest, which as most know are important in a PowerPoint. It also had silliness and off the wall humor, because that was and still is, me! So just like that, I got to work (play) at my desk for part of a morning, and the end result was learned AND cemented in skills, with the goal met of providing assistance if needed!
Years later I was learning a computer program that helped track the trail of important documents for the organization. As part of this I had to create a sample document to run through the tracking system. The subject matter of that document was not about my cat, but my creative writing skills were briefly used to make something humorous and which was workable for my learning. The gal who was training me in the system had a laugh, too. After all, laughter is really REALLY good for us, and I like to help people find things to laugh about.
More recently I’ve been learning my way around a couple of audio and video production apps. In order to begin understanding their capabilities I had to work (play) with the controls, which in my case meant recording myself, then editing the audio tracks so I sounded like a robot, or a chipmunk, or reallllllly slow – dialing up, down and all around. It also meant taking video and superimposing myself (also known as chroma key) over various backgrounds to test things out. Was I laughing hysterically as I made these little snippets? You bet I was! Am I still on a learning curve? Very much so, and I will be for quite a long while. But by working (playing) with these apps I have learned some basic skills which will allow me to begin creating clips and share information that has the potential to benefit many. Y’all will simply have to stay tuned!
These are just a few examples of the ways I have learned by playing. If there is something you need to learn, whether it is for your own self enrichment or if you are being directed to by an employer, see if adding your creative flair into the learning process might not only help make things more FUN, but very importantly, also cement that learning so you’re ready to use it! Unleash your inner child and PLAY!