Many people think about what it would be like to be better at acquiring skills and achieving goals. At QLI, we take pride in our dissection of what it takes to understand what we do, why we do it, and how we can optimize our chances of being successful. In doing this, we have identified six Learning Mantras that are fundamental to QLI’s mission and tri-dimensional rehabilitation model. Should any of us face some sort of roadblock or conflict, the mantras are available to guide us when searching for a way to proceed.
They can be applied in any order and together they provide a pathway toward self-improvement.
The first of the six Learning Mantras is “Motivate with Meaning.” The essence of this mantra is 
understanding the driving force for learning a new skill. Perhaps it is improve one’s health, feel greater security, or improve relationships with others. Understanding the reason for mastering a new skill clarify the learning process and identify important goals for consideration and pursuit. Returning to and re-examining this mantra can be helpful when challenges arise.
The second of the six Learning Mantras is “Tie It to the Task.” When we set a goal, we often do so
with the final objective in mind. However, this may be an extremely lofty goal and something for which we may lose direction without a clear game plan. Remembering to tie our activities to a specific end goal helps to simplify things. This allows us to recognize intermediate steps that are incremental and more manageable than trying to attain the final goal all at once. This also allows for recognizing meaningful wins along the way. Being clear and specific in the way we define a goal, identify key steps, and celebrate quick wins along the way helps to sustain motivation.
The third Learning Mantra is to “Identify the Interferences.” This mantra highlights the importance of questioning what might get in the way of completing a goal. Put simply, what external factors or internal 
beliefs may hinder goal achievement? We need to ask this question continually throughout the learning process because different interferences may arise at various stages. Once identified, we can problem-solve ways to counteract interferences and move forward by learning from them.
The next Learning Mantra is “Support for Success.” This mantra deals with identifying both internal and external supports. Evaluating internal support and self-analysis may involve engaging in journaling or biofeedback activities to gain control over a bodily function, such as heart rate. External supports come from other people you can rely on for constructive feedback and
advice, someone who is knowledgeable about what you need to learn. Essentially, this person takes on the role of a coach or informational support. The person may also provide emotional support—to encourage us as we work toward goals and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Learning Mantra number five is “Repeat, Repeat, Repeat.” This mantra is central to the principle of neuroplasticity that underlines much of rehabilitation. Neuroplasticity involves building new connections within the central nervous system. These new connections form only after we have repeated a task or routine hundreds and hundreds of times. Thus, it is important to schedule time to practice routines in service of 
the learning process. Neuroplastic development follows and cements those routines that are crucial to achieving a goal.
The final mantra—“Step Outside the Comfort Zone.” This is a concept that we all struggle with to a certain degree. We usually like to be in our comfort zone and function within the safe boundaries of those things we have done before. However, this means that change, growth, and learning cannot flourish. By definition, learning requires
acquiring new pieces of knowledge and exploring activities outside our comfort zone—a place filled with the unfamiliar and unknown. Of course, moving too quickly or impulsively outside our comfort can lead right into the danger zone. To avoid this, we must slowly progress into new territory, altering the intensity just a little at a time and allowing ourselves to truly learn.
For more information about the Learning Mantras, click here.
Categories: Corporate Culture, Learning, Learning Mantras, Neuroplasticity