How the Right Techniques Can Transform Your Career!
It has been over a decade since I started as an educator, and every single day there are things I learn. My learning journey has never stopped, and the impact of continuous learning has been profound. Currently, at Imarticus Learning, I have been having an opportunity to speak to learners from different walks of life. One thing I’ve discovered through conversations with learners of all age groups, from students to working professionals, is the challenge of creating a clear, actionable learning path. Whether it’s a student trying to excel in academics or a professional looking to learn on the go, many struggle to stay on course and ensure they’re learning effectively.
Today, I want to share with you three powerful techniques that have transformed my learning journey and have consistently helped me and others I’ve mentored to create structured, lasting learning paths. These techniques are not just theoretical concepts but practical strategies that have been proven to make a difference. I had the opportunity to cover one of these techniques in a classroom session with my learners, while the other two were introduced by a fellow colleague in an L&D program for working professionals.
Here are the three game-changing techniques:
Richard Feynman Technique
Pomodoro Technique
Carlson’s Law
These techniques are not only about learning—they are about creating balance, managing time, and ensuring that learning becomes a part of our everyday routine. In this blog, I will explain how each of these techniques has helped me balance the various demands of my personal and professional life, while also ensuring I continue to learn and grow.
Richard Feynman Technique: The Power of Simplification
The Feynman Technique, named after the renowned physicist Richard Feynman, is one of the most effective ways to learn complex concepts. Feynman believed that if you can’t explain something simply, you don’t really understand it. This technique forces you to break down complicated ideas into simple, understandable parts, making it easier to retain information and apply it practically.
In my own journey, I found that by simplifying concepts, I was able to retain information better, not just for myself but also when teaching others. This technique has helped me as a professional in multiple ways—whether explaining complex soft skills concepts to learners or breaking down organizational challenges into actionable steps for my team. By using this method, I’ve gained clarity in both my teaching and my work, and I encourage my students and colleagues to adopt it as well.
Here is an example from a classroom session. I had a learner named Pratik who was a part of our finance program called CIBOP. He was prepping up for civil services while he wanted to start off his career. There are 3 images below that show how his everyday looked like before he took the course, while he was pursuing the course, and after the completion of the class where we learnt the Feynman Technique. Result - ??? He was placed with a decent package and is now currently working with a renowned Investment Bank and learning at the same time.
Image 1: Pratik's schedule while he was prepping for civil services. This was before he joined the program
Image 2: Pratik's schedule while he joined the program while he was prepping for civil services.
Image 3: Pratik's schedule after completing the session on Richard Feynman Technique. Look at how structured it is.
For working professionals, the Feynman Technique is invaluable. Whether you're preparing for a presentation, learning a new skill, or training a team, breaking down concepts and explaining them in simple terms ensures you fully understand them yourself. It’s not just about learning for exams or job interviews—it’s about gaining a deep-rooted understanding that serves you in all facets of your career.
Pomodoro Technique: Time Management Meets Focus
In the fast-paced world we live in, managing time effectively is a crucial skill, and that’s where the Pomodoro Technique comes into play. The technique, which involves working in focused 25-minute intervals followed by short breaks, has been a game-changer in my own life. It allows me to balance the various tasks I have at hand, both personally and professionally, without feeling overwhelmed.
I often juggle several responsibilities—from leading training sessions, working on content creation, and conducting evaluations, to managing personal commitments. Using the Pomodoro Technique, I’m able to break my day into manageable chunks, focus deeply on each task, and avoid burnout. It has significantly improved my productivity, and I’ve noticed the same with the learners I’ve introduced it to.
The Pomodoro Technique also works wonders for professionals who are trying to upskill while balancing a full-time job. It encourages them to dedicate small, uninterrupted time slots to learning, which makes it easier to maintain focus and retain information. Over time, I’ve seen professionals who use this technique increase their productivity and stay committed to their personal development goals.
We discussed the Pomodoro Technique as a part of the L&D program called the "Certified Communication Enhancement Program." It was very well delivered by my fellow trainer Syed Faraz and the outcome was really a great one. It is just that one needs to put this into constant practice to make the best out of this technique. I have attached a screenshot from the program below alongside the participants.
Image: Live L&D session for client-facing professionals where the Pomodoro Technique is being discussed and presented.
Carlson’s Law: The Balance of Flexibility and Structure
Carlson’s Law is based on the concept that "planned work is more efficient than unplanned work." In simple terms, Carlson’s Law advocates for focusing on one task at a time, without interruptions, to maximize efficiency. I have applied this principle to both my professional work and personal life, creating dedicated time blocks for tasks that require deep concentration.
The law has taught me that multitasking often results in inefficiency, and it’s far better to focus on one thing at a time. I’ve integrated Carlson’s Law into my training sessions, ensuring that learners concentrate on mastering one skill before moving on to the next. This approach has proven to be extremely beneficial for my students, especially in technical learning environments where depth of understanding is critical.
Image: Live L&D session for client-facing professionals where Carlson's Law is being discussed.
For working professionals, Carlson’s Law is essential in helping them stay focused in today’s world of constant distractions. By encouraging them to plan their learning and professional development time, we’ve seen a noticeable improvement in the quality of work produced. Structured focus, combined with flexibility in approach, is key to lasting success.
Helping Learners Create Impactful Career Paths
My passion has always been to help people grow and achieve their fullest potential. Over the years, I have seen how effective learning paths and consistent upskilling can transform careers. By following these three techniques—Feynman for understanding, Pomodoro for time management, and Carlson’s Law for structured focus—I have been able to guide students and working professionals towards successful learning journeys.
The importance of consistent learning cannot be overstated, especially in today’s ever changing corporate environment. I’ve worked closely with learners from all walks of life, from students fresh out of college to experienced professionals looking to level up their skills. My focus has always been on helping them identify the most crucial skills required to excel in their respective fields and crafting a learning journey that aligns with their goals.
I am proud to have helped learners move from being unsure of their path to confidently navigating their careers. Continuous learning not only helps individuals acquire new skills but also empowers them to take ownership of their career progression. I encourage my learners to always stay curious, to ask questions, and to never stop learning. In today’s world, the ability to upskill consistently is what will help professionals climb the corporate ladder and stay competitive in the job market.
The Role of Trainers and L&D Professionals
None of this would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the trainers and L&D professionals I’ve had the privilege to work with. Across different organizations, these professionals have been instrumental in helping learners choose the right path and become self-sufficient. They’ve introduced innovative methods, used real-world examples, and provided the necessary support to create impactful learning journeys.
One of the best practices we’ve introduced as a team is personalized mentoring. Whether it’s through HR mentoring sessions, customized learning paths, or portfolio-building activities, these initiatives have made a significant difference in the lives of the learners. They have gained clarity in their learning paths, improved their communication skills, and learned how to position themselves better in front of potential employers.
Our trainers have continuously pushed the boundaries of traditional learning by incorporating creative methods like movie screenings, learning through gaming, and role-playing into their training sessions. These activities not only keep the learners engaged but also help them develop critical thinking and decision-making skills—essential for real-world applications.
In my case, every single day there are new techniques and methodologies I get to learn. Take this blog, it was written live in a classroom where we were learning how to write a blog. While the learners were writing one, I got to write one too. The blog you are reading is an outcome of what we discussed in class and what was in my mind. Here is a picture from this particular batch - Batch 251 pursuing the Investment Banking Operations course at Imarticus Learning, Bengaluru.
Image: CIBOP 251 batch from Imarticus Learning, Bengaluru Center where the picture was clicked while we were halfway through writing our blogs.
The Journey of Lifelong Learning
Creating a well-defined learning journey isn’t just about acquiring knowledge—it’s about understanding yourself, your goals, and your potential. Through techniques like the Feynman Technique, Pomodoro Technique, and Carlson’s Law, I’ve been able to help learners find a structured, efficient way to approach their learning journey.
As I continue on my own path of lifelong learning, I am constantly reminded of the importance of these methods and how they can transform lives. My goal is to continue helping both students and professionals realize their potential, guide them through their learning process, and watch them succeed.
After all, learning is a journey, not a destination. Let’s continue growing, one step at a time.
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