Learning Continuum

During a recent discussion on our Salon Team Training Facebook group, we considered the issue of stylists getting stuck in the training process. It’s common for stylists to become fearful or bored and halt their progress, particularly when trying to learn a new and challenging skill. To illustrate the learning journey and how to reach goals, I created the diagram below, called the Learning Continuum. It shows the progression from the beginning of the learning process to the achievement of goals.

Learning

People often decide to learn something new when they have a problem that they want to solve. For example, they may want to improve their coloring technique. When they first start learning, it can be exciting because it’s something new and they start to see progress. This learning phase can be particularly interesting and satisfying as they feel like they are succeeding. However, as they continue to learn and progress, it can be helpful to set specific goals and track their progress to maintain motivation and continue to feel a sense of accomplishment. It can also be helpful to take breaks and reward themselves for their hard work to stay motivated and engaged.

Plateau

During the learning process, it’s common to hit a plateau where progress slows down or stops. This can be frustrating and may lead to boredom and a loss of interest. Without external encouragement or motivation, it can be tempting to give up on the learning journey. However, it’s important to remember that hitting a plateau is a normal part of the learning process and it’s important to persevere and push through this phase. One way to stay motivated is to set specific, achievable goals and to track progress towards them. It can also be helpful to find a support system, such as a mentor or study group, to provide encouragement and guidance. Taking breaks and rewarding oneself for progress can also help to maintain motivation and engagement.

Fear

Learners may hit a point in the learning journey where they actually become fearful. This fear can lead to a turning point where trainees may decide that things were easier before they started trying to learn something new, and they may retreat to their previous habits. This can create a cycle of trying to learn something new but getting stuck at the point where they don’t believe in themselves or their progress enough to continue. To break this cycle, it’s important to recognize and address these feelings of fear and self-doubt. This may involve seeking support from a mentor or study group, setting achievable goals and tracking progress, or finding ways to stay motivated and engaged. It’s also important to remember that learning something new is a process and it’s normal to encounter challenges along the way.

Breakthrough

This is where you, as an educator, can make a huge difference when they may be feeling frustrated or discouraged. One way to do this is to provide positive reinforcement and encouragement when they have made progress, even if it is small. This can help to keep them engaged and motivated and can lead to a breakthrough moment where they start to see a difference in their growth and improvement. By providing ongoing support and reassurance, you can help learners to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. It’s also important to remember to be patient and recognize that learning something new takes time and effort, and it’s normal to encounter challenges along the way.

So, to stop them getting stuck in a loop of trying and giving up, make sure you’re working alongside them right from step one so they can skip the fear and go straight for the win!

Check out my diagram above to see a visual representation of the Learning Continuum, and for more tips and topics just like this one, become a member of my Salon Team Training Facebook community.