The way in which you learn and retain knowledge is directly related to your success. However, most people are not using their learning abilities to their fullest potential because they have never taken the time to reflect on which learning style will help them obtain and store information most effectively.

So what exactly are learning styles? Very simply, learning styles are different ways that people learn.

Your learning style is directly related to your ability to retain information. It is based on your mind's natural ability to understand and remember basically anything based on the senses which are dominant in your personality.

By figuring out your most appropriate learning style(s), you will be able to determine which type of self-help you're best suited for.

The three major learning styles defined by psychologists include:

Visual Learning

Auditory Learning

Kinesthetic Learning

You'll certainly be able to learn more effectively by understanding which learning style works for you. But don't believe that you're limited to just one! In fact, mostly all of us use a combination of styles. It is important, however, for you to be part of an environment that makes the most of your learning ability.

VISUAL LEARNERS (approximately 65 percent of the population)

This type of learner is best at collecting information with their eyes. This includes looking at visual images or reading text. Visual learners usually prefer graphics, illustrations and charts. They are able to remember details and ideas in picture form, typically what they've seen before.

AUDITORY LEARNERS (approximately 30 percent of the population)

This type of learner is best at collecting information with their ears. This includes listening and talking. Although easily distracted, auditory learners learn by memorizing sound. For instance, they learn instructions by repeating them over and over again, even in silent form. They often like background music to block out interrupting noises.

KINESTHETIC LEARNERS (approximately 5 percent of the population)

This type of learner is best at collecting meaning through touch and movement. Kinesthetic learners learn through physical interaction; most are young children. In essence, touching is a way of seeing.

So, which of these three styles is most effective for you? If you're not sure, here is an exercise to help. Read through the following examples and note down how many apply to you personally. By counting how many check marks you have in each category, you can determine the type of learning that is right for you.

A VISUAL LEARNER...

---Reads or watches TV to relax.

---Tends to remember people's faces but not their names.

---Gets distracted by untidiness when concentrating.

---Learns about a new idea by reading the book.

---Attempts to spell a difficult word by writing to see how it looks.

---Solves problems most easily by writing out possible solutions.

AN AUDITORY LEARNER...

---Listens to music or the radio to relax.

---Tends to remember people's names but not their faces.

---Gets distracted by noise when concentrating.

---Learns about a new idea by purchasing the audio tapes.

---Attempts to spell a difficult word by sounding it out.

---Solves problems most easily by talking through possible solutions.

A KINESTHETIC LEARNER...

---Does a physical activity or plays a sport to relax.

---Tends to remember people by recalling things he/she did with them.

---Gets distracted by moving people when concentrating.

---Learns about a new idea by going to the seminar.

---Attempts to spell a difficult word by writing to see how it feels.

---Solves problems most easily through hands-on experience.

If you have a high score for visual learners, then I recommend you utilize visual presentations like illustrations, slides and videos.

If you see that you are more of an audio learner, then audio sources like tapes or lectures will suit you best.

If you happen to fit under the kinesthetic category, then a kinesthetic or hands-on approach to learning will help.

Certainly it is possible to score evenly across all three. This shows that you are able to learn well using either the visual, audio or kinesthetic learning styles. Congratulations!

After determining your most appropriate style(s), you can then choose the type of material, expert or environment that will help you learn best and in effect, improve your life.

TWO FINAL NOTES

---To get additional information on learning styles, I would highly recommend visiting http://www.selfgrowth.com/howtolearn.html. This site provides comprehensive information not only on learning styles but other important subjects on learning as well.

---For those of you who want to jump right into the resources, we have written a comprehensive book, entitled:

"Self Improvement: The Top 101 Experts That Help Us Improve Our Lives"

This book is a groundbreaking 460-page comprehensive resource with detailed

information on the top 101 experts, their insights, their messages and their products.

You can learn the secrets of Tony Robbins, Dr. Phil, Zig Ziglar, Deepak Chopra, Stephen Covey, Wayne Dyer, Dale Carnegie, plus 94 more in this epic 460-page book on Self Improvement.

To get complete details, visit http://www.selfgrowth.com/toparticle.html

COPYRIGHT (C) 2004 by Self Improvement Online, Inc.