Meet our new lovebird, Kelly, for kelly green. She is only 3 months old.
Kelly is learning new things, like any new baby.
She is still exploring and testing climbing.

Learning takes 3 stages:

First, you need to have KNOWLEDGE.
You might say you have learned something
because you have read something.
But that is all you have - knowledge. That is not enough.
Just having knowledge doesn’t mean you can do it.
Kelly has the knowledge that she can climb with her beak and feet.

Second, you need to turn the knowledge into a SKILL.
You have to do something with the knowledge.
Kelly found an artificial tree in a wicker basket.
She had to figure out the parts of the wicker basket that intertwine
and where she could grasp it to climb up to the tree.

Third, you have to turn the skill into a HABIT.
You can do this by repeating the skill over and over.
Kelly is still working on this. Everyday we let her out,
and she goes over to the wicker basket to climb to the tree. She studies the intertwined wicker.
One day she will climb fast when she knows what to grab.
(I cannot get a picture because her green color hides her in the tree.)

Here’s another example. Think of learning the times table.
When you go to the store,
you don’t think 3 items at $5 each is $5 + $5 + $5.
You know 3 x 5 =15.
It comes to you quickkly and automatically – that is a habit.
This is true learning, when you use the knowledge automatically.

What are you learning for 2010? Have you chosen something new to learn how to do? If not, you will get what you always get, the same result.

One of my key goals for 2010 is to create learning products – how to manuals. To help you learn new things. To help you save time by being more efficient.

Based on the survey, some of you like to read, and some like to listen.
So we are starting with 2 reading products and then some webinars.
The Take Action File is going through a revision and is almost complete.
It will be ready in March.

If you have piles in your IN BOX, physical or email,
you are going to want this. It is going to organize your IN BOX.
Wouldn’t that be nice!

As they say in the movies ….coming very soon.

This month we look at another lesson from our lovebird, Sky.

Sky’s cage was only closed at night. All day it was open. First thing in the morning, I would open her cage door. She would climb out and sit on a bird exercise perch.

As soon as she heard the water running, she knew one of us was in the bathroom shower.
She would make her way down her ladder to the kitchen floor And walk or fly to the master bath. (Her wings were clipped, so she mostly walked through the house. She could fly about a foot off the ground.)

The closets in the master bath area have two long mirrored doors. First, Sky would stand by the doors and talk to her mirror image.

After awhile, Sky would go over to the shower and sit on the ledge in front of the shower curtain (see picture) until we got out of the shower. Then she should return to the mirror while we got dressed.

About six months ago her curiosity peaked. Sky would push the edge of the shower curtain open and peek into the shower.
If too much water sprayed her face, she backed out.

A few months later Sky started finding a place in the center of the curtain where it would fold into the shower and leave just enough space to jump down to the floor, get a drink, and jump back on the ledge with the curtain still protecting her from the running shower water.

Finally Sky took action. She ventured completely into the running shower (with Don, not with me) and got wet.

What can we learn from Sky? Two things: Sky knew the water was going to get onto the floor of the shower. If she wanted more to drink, she had to get it before the water was off.

First, she had to take action. She ventured from watching to drinking after the water was off, to drinking in front of the curtain, to fully getting in.

Second, Sky learned how to get drinks taking it step by step.
Each time she risked just a little bit more. You can grow by taking things step by step.
If you set goals for New Years, take action by taking them step by step. Take one step at a time, then go on to achieve another step. Eventually you will reach your goal.

For more organizing tips, listen to the recording I did with Dr. Sheila Forman in her show archives on www.healthylife.net

Happy New Year 2010 - make it your best year ever!

Last month I talked about the first lesson we learned from Sky, our lovebird, on how to create habits. (see archives Oct.)

This month we look at another lesson:

After Sky flew all over the house, we learned to keep her wings clipped.
So she mostly walked through the house. She could fly about a foot off the ground. And she followed my husband Don everywhere.

And I do mean everywhere.

When he went to the bathroom, Don would close the door. Next to the master bathroom door were » Read more…

Last Monday we lost Sky, our lovebird, to the sky. For many of you who have ever lost a pet, you understand the loss. As I reflected on her life, I realized she had taught us!

Sky’s wings were clipped so she could not fly too high. Mostly she » Read more…