The Friday Brain Upgrade

How to eliminate mental fatigue, amplify cognitive performance, and become an unstoppable learner

The Unexpected Link Between Furniture Assembly and Learning Mastery

I admit, I count IKEA screws. Yes, really. When faced with a new piece of furniture, I meticulously sort every piece, count each screw, and study the manual before taking any action.

For years, I thought this was just a quirky habit – until I realized it revealed something fundamental about how I learn.

This methodical approach wasn’t just about furniture assembly. It was a window into my learning style as a WHAT-learner, someone who needs to understand the complete picture before taking action.

But here’s the interesting part: while I was organizing screws, my colleague would already be halfway through building the wardrobe, learning through doing rather than planning.

The Learning Style (R)evolution

Let’s bust a myth first:

Remember VARK (Visual, Auditory, Reading, Kinesthetic)?

I used to believe in it so strongly that I even avoided podcasts for years, thinking I was purely a “reading and visual learner.”

Research now shows there’s no credible evidence supporting this model.

Watch this short video for a clear explanation of why the VARK model is outdated:

When I took my 4MAT Training Design Master education I learned about four more meaningful learning styles:

WHY-Learners (Innovative/Imaginative)
→ Focus on personal meaning and connections
→ Need to understand the bigger picture
→ Excel at seeing possibilities

WHAT-Learners (Analytic)
→ Work best with facts and data
→ Think through ideas systematically
→ Need to understand how everything connects

HOW-Learners (Common Sense)
→ Learn through practical application
→ Prefer hands-on experiences
→ Excel at implementation

IF-Learners (Dynamic)
→ Thrive on self-discovery
→ Enjoy exploring possibilities
→ Learn through trial and error

My learning style assessment revealed an interesting blend: while I lead strongly with the analytical WHAT-learner approach, I also have a significant practical HOW-learner side. Think of it as having both a scientist and a craftsperson living in my brain – one who needs to understand everything thoroughly, and another who’s eager to put that knowledge into practice.

Here’s what my learning style assessment revealed:

From Awareness to Action

Understanding your learning style is like getting a personalized learning compass. It not only points to what works best for you but also reveals territories you might be avoiding. When I discovered my WHAT-learner tendencies, everything clicked – from my IKEA furniture methodology to my detailed project planning approach.

As a WHAT-learner, I excel at:
→ Evidence-based decisions
→ Analytical approaches
→ Systematic learning
→ Detailed planning

3 Practical Applications of Learning Styles

In Personal Development:
→ Identify your primary style
→ Deliberately practice other styles
→ Understand your natural strengths
→ Create learning strategies that work for you

In Training Design:
→ Include the WHY to engage imaginative learners
→ Provide data for WHAT-learners
→ Incorporate hands-on exercises for HOW-learners
→ Allow exploration for IF-learners

In Workplace Collaboration:
→ Recognize different approaches as strengths
→ Build diverse teams leveraging various styles
→ Create processes that accommodate all styles

Understanding these applications is valuable, but the real magic happens when you start stretching beyond your comfort zone. Let me share how this played out in my own journey of growth.

From Understanding to Growth

Nine months ago, I embraced the challenge of stretching beyond my comfort zone. While my systematic nature and reasoned judgment served me well, I realized I needed to develop new capabilities.

The transformation began when I deliberately practiced what felt uncomfortable:
→ Approaching strangers instead of staying in my analytical bubble
→ Taking action before having complete plans
→ Sharing vulnerabilities instead of just facts
→ Embracing chaos (yes, really!) instead of always seeking order
→ Following instincts rather than just data

This journey taught me that understanding your learning style isn’t about putting yourself in a box –
it’s about knowing where to stretch while honoring your natural strengths.

When we recognize our learning preferences, we can both leverage them and consciously develop complementary capabilities.

Ready to discover your learning style and transform how you learn?

Join my Learning Styles Discovery Workshop on January 14th!

Limited to 30 seats - free but application required!

As member of my newsletter you can join via the Fastlane - just hit reply and answer: DISCOVERY and I’ll directly add you to the invite with the eMail address you subscribed to this newsletter.

Or: Apply now - https://program.quintsmart.com/learning-styles-workshop

Learn Smart, Basti

My LinkedIn posts for further exploration