Experts say that you’ll need to practice a new skill a lot in order to master it and remember all the steps in order. Sometimes you have the time to invest, and other times you need to get up to speed quickly. Here are a few ways you can improve your retention, so you can ensure a higher degree of accuracy from the beginning.

Get Invested in the Subject
Everyone has a skill they need to learn that either bores them to death or terrifies them. Most of the things you need to learn for your business won’t fall to either of these extremes, but it’s good to keep it in perspective. One of the best ways to avoid a natural disinclination to learn is to give yourself a reason to do it. Make a list of reasons that you need to develop the skill and make sure that they offer benefits for you. For example, you might note that the skill will help you complete projects more quickly or be able to offer a wider variety of services so that you can earn more money.

Take Good Notes
If the skill you want to learn requires notes, you might as well make them good ones. Most people don’t love the process of writing down the contents of an article or lecture, but experts say it is the best way to get the most out of learning through these methods. Don’t just regurgitate whatever you have read or heard. Give yourself the time to think about what you’re learning and put it into your own words. Practice getting to the point of a subject and being able to summarize it cleanly. That way, when you go back to your notes, you’ll be able to scan for information quickly.

Test Out Your Knowledge
So much of the construction industry involves hands-on skills, and that’s why a lot of people like it. Once you get some research and investigation under your belt, you’ll want to test out your knowledge. Of course, this depends on the thing you’re trying to master, and how easy it is to test out. If you’re learning how to use a new piece of equipment, it’s important to ensure that you can use it safely without risking the health of others either. As a general rule, it’s best to pick a time when you are feeling alert and not in a hurry. Exploring a new process can often tell you as much as you learn by reading about it.

Review the Fundamentals
No one gets behind the wheel of a car and is able to drive perfectly, without effort, from the very first day. Even if you understand the concept and the basic information involved with the skill, you may still need to review standards and guidelines to help you keep control of what you’re doing. Take a moment to look at your notes and review lectures as needed. Watching tutorials more than once can sometimes help you to avoid missing important details. This review process is important for the accuracy of the skill you build, as well as your ability to remember it.

Demonstrate Your Skills
Many experts believe that one of the best ways to solidify your ability to do something is to teach someone else how to do it. In the case of a complicated process or the use of possibly dangerous equipment, you may be demonstrating it more than you are teaching it. However, this process can also help you to put the individual steps into your own language. That makes it easier for you to remember. And when you do find yourself in the position of needing to teach someone how to do it, you will already have the language that you need to explain it in a way that makes sense.

Construction is a career full of skill-building. The faster and the better you can do it, the more you can make it pay off. To learn more about construction careers and how you can become a licensed contractor, contact CSLS today!