by Dr. Tony Alessandra

Can you remember when you first learned how to drive a car? Before you learned how, you were in the ignorance stage. You didn't know how to drive the car and you didn't even know why you didn't know how to drive it.

When you first went out with an instructor to learn how to drive you arrived at the second phase: knowledge. You still couldn't drive, but because of your new knowledge of the automobile and its parts, you were consciously aware of why you couldn't. This is the phase where most seminars leave people.

With some practice and guidance, you were able to become competent in driving the car through recognition of what you had to do. However, you had to be consciously aware of what you were doing with all of the mechanical aspects of the car as well as with your body. This third phase is the hardest stage, the one in which people may want to give up -- the practice stage. People experience stress when they implement new behaviors, especially when they initially perform them imperfectly. They'll want to revert to the old, more comfortable behaviors, even if those behaviors are less effective. However, it's okay for them to make mistakes at this phase. In fact, it's necessary so they improve through practice. Training programs that include role-playing and in-the-field coaching work best at this phase of learning.

Returning to our car analogy, think of the last time that you drove. Were you consciously aware of all of the actions that we mentioned above? Of course not! Most of us, after driving awhile, progress to a level of habitual performance. This is the level where we can do something well and don't have to think about the steps. They come "naturally" because they've been so well practiced that they've shifted to automatic pilot. This final stage is when practice results in assimilation and habit.

This four-phase model for learning -- ignorance, knowledge, practice, and habit -- is the recipe for success in learning any new behavior and having it stick. So remember, for any new skill you're trying to master, keep learning at the knowledge stage, and don't give up at the practice stage, and you will reach the habit stage. Good luck!

Copyright © 2005 Alessandra & Associates, Inc. Dr. Tony Alessandra can be reached at http://www.alessandra.com

This simple model for learning is easy to remember and incorporate. What have you recently learned about that you want to master? What practice will you now incorporate in your daily and weekly activities so that your new learning becomes a habit? How long will you give yourself to attain mastery? Who will you share this goal with to be your accountability buddy?

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