Building a Personal Learning Plan

The Autodidact's Compass: A System for Self-Taught Mastery Learning is a personal journey, unique to every individual and subject. Looking back, a golden thread connects these experiences systematically. Let's call it the autodidact's compass. This system has 8 components to it: S0: Put down the obvious (beliefs, ideas, myths etc) S1: Collect people and map them into a spectrum S2: Collect content across the spectrum S3: Develop a personal point of view and find flaws in arguments S4: Design projects to test your point of view S5: Find a teacher or mentor; share projects for review S6: Identify gaps and figure out ways to close them S7: Test value fitment (see if people pay for your work) S8: Complete at-least 3 projects and reflect Let's apply this to my learning journey of the human body and metabolism: S0: Obvious ideas: Lose weight by Eat less, exercise more, calories in/out S1: Spectrum of experts: Eric Berg, Mindy Pelz, Jason Fung, Robert Lustig, Alan Goldhammer, Pradip Jumnadas, Barbara O'Neill, Tim Ferriss, Ranjan Chatterjee, Sadhguru, etc. S2: Content: Books like "Fast Like a Girl," "Metabolical," "Intermittent Fasting," podcasts, various diets (Keto, Vegan, Insulin Hypothesis, etc.) S3: Personal POV: Try out every diet under the sun on self. Aha-Moment is 20% life sciences + 80% behavioral science is what we need. Need composite systems for sustainability, community support, and accountability. S4: Project: Sensibowl to test the hypothesis S5: Mentorship: Doctor friends for understanding the human body, choosing mentors for specific aspects. S6: Gaps: Holistic understanding (microbiology, pathology, serology, endocrine systems) and educating knowledge workers S7: Value test: Sensibowl generated 12 lakhs in 3 years. Folks regained periods after 2 years, fit into old jeans, lost 500+ pounds together, reversed diabetes, got rid of PCOS/PCOD and more. S8: Reflection: Ready to consolidate learnings into a book. Key takeaway: for women, how to thrive in your post 40s better than previous decades combined. This system can be applied to any learning journey. The depth depends on your curiosity and dedication. Not all projects take 8 years – each is unique. I have applied the same system for learning neuroscience, behavioural science, AI (WIP), Metabolism, Astrology and more. #learning

Struggling to Learn Something New? Here’s My 4-Step Learning Plan That Actually Works – And Takes Less Than 30 Minutes a Day. I used to bounce between books, podcasts, and online courses—feeling inspired one minute, overwhelmed the next. Sound familiar? Whether you’re a busy professional, a side-hustler, or someone pivoting careers, you’re not alone. The desire to grow is there—but without a plan, motivation fades. So I built a practical learning plan that works even when life gets messy. And no, it doesn’t require waking up at 5 a.m. or binge-watching masterclasses. Here’s how I structure it in 4 simple steps: 1. Define a 90-day focus area. (Example: public speaking, data analysis, or leadership communication.) 2. Use microlearning. I commit to just 25 minutes a day—10 reading, 10 watching, 5 reflecting. 3. Track what I learn using a learning log (you can use Notes on app like Notion). 4. Teach back once a week. If I can explain it to a friend, I’ve learned it. Why this works: According to cognitive science, spaced repetition + active recall = knowledge that sticks. And teaching? That’s the secret weapon. People retain up to 90% of what they teach to others, compared to only 10% of what they read. I’ve used this exact framework to: • Upskill in financial modeling • Learn Salesforce workflows • Even prepare for a major leadership keynote (without losing sleep) If you’re tired of “starting over” every Monday, this plan gives you momentum—fast. Who this is for: • High-performers juggling full schedules • Career changers looking to retool • Leaders who want to stay sharp without burning out What You Can Expect: • A clear, doable plan you can start today • Measurable growth in 90 days • Confidence in your ability to learn on your own terms Don’t just collect knowledge. Own your growth. Drop a comment with what you’re learning next—and lets help each other accelerate it. #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipCoaching #CoachingCulture

𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍 (𝐈𝐃𝐏)- For #career growth and satisfaction.. Research shows that employees who engage in structured personal development plans are not only more productive but also more motivated and happier in their roles. 📈✨ 💎 An IDP is a roadmap for professional growth, tailored to one's unique skills, goals, and aspirations. 𝒀𝒆𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒔 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒖𝒆 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 🤔? I was always hesitant to bring it up with managers in the past, as I didn't want to look like giving importance to my personal career goals over and above my work goals or KRAs (Key Responsibility Areas). What about you? ❌️ That was silly and unconducive for my personal growth. IDPs help you: ✅️ Identify areas for improvement (Sets you up for #lifelonglearning ) ✅️ Set achievable objectives (Create #goals aligned with you) ✅️ Chart a course for #success. (Chalk out an action plan to Identify resources, training and support needed to succeed) 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐃𝐏: 1️⃣ 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Utilize tools like 360-degree feedback and personality assessments for insights. 2️⃣ 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: Define SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals that align with your career aspirations 3️⃣ 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Break down your goals into actionable steps, identifying resources, training, and support needed to succeed. 4️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: Schedule periodic reviews to track your progress, adjust goals, and celebrate achievements along the way Investing in your personal development through IDPs isn't just beneficial for you—it's a win-win for both employees and organizations. Start crafting your IDP today and unlock your full potential! 💪🚀 𝐖𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮? 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 --- Hi, I am Dr Lakshmi, bringing together my experience of 2 decades in life sciences/biotech/pharma careers and passion to create an impact through speaking, writing and coaching. Follow me for an exploration of how to live a productive and fulfilling life. #Productivity #drlakshmispeaks

Show of 🤚🏻: Who has professional development goals for 2025? Let's talk about creating a learning plan that actually works—one that fits your style, schedule, and career goals. I've learned this the hard way: I can't tell you how many course recordings are sitting unwatched in my digital library. The key? Understanding not just what you need to learn, but how you learn best. Here's a framework I use that you can adapt: 🎯 Start with an honest skills audit: Look back at your recent projects. Where did you struggle? What took longer than it should have? These friction points are clues to your development needs. Then look forward: What's your next career move? Map out the skills gap between here and there. 📚 Know your learning style (it matters more than you think): For me, it's all about active notetaking and accountability. I need scheduled sessions where I have to show up and engage. Those self-paced courses? They become digital dust collectors. Others thrive with: - Hands-on workshops - Mentor relationships - Bite-sized video tutorials - Reading and research - Peer learning groups ⏰ Time-block realistically: The best training plan is the one you'll actually complete. Be honest about your schedule. I've found it's better to commit to 30 minutes twice a week than promise yourself a multi-hour weekend session that never happens. 🔍 Finding quality training: - Check professional associations in your field - Look for social proof from past participants - Verify instructor credentials - Test with short workshops before big investments What's your most effective learning style? Share in the comments—your insight might help someone else find their path. #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerGrowth #ContinuousLearning