Many of us invest both time and money in some form of self-improvement. These include attending training courses such as seminars and workshops as well as buying books, tapes, CDs, VCDs, DVDs etc. These investments are meant to make us better at what we do.

Training courses are amongst the best opportunities for self-improvement because they are live performances offering timely information and a chance for on-the-spot evaluation of the information provided vis-a-vis what we are doing now.

Many of us attend training courses to get more knowledge and skills, but few know how to attend for maximum gains. Here are seven keys to achieve maximum gains from the training courses you attend.

Key 1: Listen with an open mind
Look out for the gems and the “ah huh’s”, rather than focus on the “I know’s”. Withhold judgement, listen to understand rather than to criticise. Constantly self-evaluate to see whether we have been applying the knowledge and shared skills effectively, rather than be satisfied with merely knowing about those knowledge and skills.

Key 2: Participate 100 percent
Participate 100 percent. Show energy and enthusiasm. This is one sure way to get the most out of the trainer. Be prepared to ask questions to clarify any doubt, write down those questions that occur in your mind and ask them at the first appropriate moment. In addition, be generous with sharing your experiences, ideas and comments when invited to do so. That way, everyone in the course will benefit.

Key 3: Take notes and record them
Take notes on the key points and examples shared during the course. Record them properly in an easy-to-retrieve manner. Review your notes regularly after the course to ensure maximum retention of what was covered during the course.

Key 4: Network with others
Avoid the temptation of sitting with the people that you came with. Join the other course participants whom you do not already know, make new friends and widen your network. These people could be your potential customer or contact.

Key 5: Adapt to your circumstances
While the principles of the knowledge and skills shared may be the same, the circumstances in which they are to be applied may differ. Always ensure that you adapt what you have learnt to suit your own personality, style and circumstances by determining the goal(s) to be achieved as well as the strategies to achieve the goal(s).

Key 6: Apply your new knowledge and skills
With the goal(s) and strategies in place, you will next need to take massive action to achieve the set goal(s). By taking massive action, you may succeed or you may not. Even if you do not succeed, you would have learnt lessons which will help you revise your strategies and continue taking massive actions to achieve your goal(s).

Key 7: Share your new knowledge and skills
After gaining success in achieve your goals, share your strategies, experiences, knowledge, skills, etc, with your friends and colleagues. Remember, not everyone will have the opportunity to attend the training course like you did. Through your sharing, your friends and colleagues can also gain from what you have learnt. That way, the gains from your attendance of the training course will truly be maximised.