It Starts with Passion, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 33Understanding how you like to focus

There are four different ways you receive and recall information:

• visual — through pictures
• auditory — through sounds
• kinaesthetic — through touching and doing
• olfactory — through smell.

For example, certain memories are triggered by smells, such as Grandma’s perfume or smells you associate with the home where you grew up.

Here we will focus on the first three areas, as these are the senses you use most when focusing on your goals. Each of us is more dominant in one particular area: this is how we most like to learn and recall. Here is a brief overview, before you complete a quick self-assessment.

Someone with a visual learning style has a preference for seen or observed things, including pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, films, flip-charts or handouts. These people will use phrases such as ‘show me’ and ‘let’s have a look at that’ and will be best able to perform a new task after reading the instructions or watching someone else do it first. They will work from lists and written directions and illustrations.

Have you ever thought about buying a car and the more you think about it, the more examples of this type of car you spot as you drive around? Your reticular activating system has visually tuned in to car images for you.

Someone with an auditory learning style absorbs information mainly through listening. These people will use phrases such as ‘tell me’ and ‘let’s talk it over’ and will be best able to perform ...