Why most training fail?
Have you ever walked out of a training session or a powerful keynote feeling completely inspired—your head buzzing with new ideas—only to realise that a few weeks later, almost nothing has stuck?
You’re not alone. Research shows that after attending a training or an information session, 75% of what we hear is forgotten within just six days.
In this video, I want to share three simple ways that can make your training or information sessions much more impactful.
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A few weeks ago, I was speaking at a large leadership event with over 200 participants. The organiser, David, shared with me how frustrated he sometimes felt. The sessions were powerful, the speakers engaging, the ideas brilliant—but weeks later, most of it was forgotten by the attendees. That’s when it struck me again: learning doesn’t come from simply hearing; it comes from what we apply.
So, here are three simple ways to make your next training or learning session actually stick:
1. Capture on the Fly
Don’t wait until later to jot down takeaways—you’ll lose them.
Whenever I attend a training, I use one page divided into simple boxes: each box has two parts—Insight and Action.
- Insight = the idea you just heard.
- Action = what you’re going to do with it.
By the end of a one-hour session, you’ll have a page full of not just notes, but actionable steps.
2. Take Time to Debrief
Block 30–60 minutes after the session to review your notes. Ask yourself:
- What will I implement?
- How will I implement it?
This reflection transforms a page of ideas into a real plan.
3. Implement Straight Away
Think of learning like a French soufflé—if you don’t act quickly, it collapses. Don’t wait weeks to apply what you’ve learned. Choose a few actions that matter most and start immediately. The key is not to implement everything, but to focus on the few that will have the greatest impact.
If you do these three things—capture, debrief, and implement—you’ll move beyond inspiration and start creating lasting impact from every session you attend.
So, my question to you is: Next time you walk away from a learning session, will you let your ideas deflate like a soufflé, or will you turn your insights into real implementation?
This is this week's Work Smarter: Live Better tip.
Hope you have a lovely day!
A bientôt
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