Are You Learning the Best Way for You?

I recently started reading The Walker’s Guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs by Tristan Gooley.

On paper, it should have been perfect for me.
Outdoors. Observation. Detail. Practical knowledge.

But something wasn’t working.

I found myself reading and re-reading paragraphs without really taking anything in. The information was factual and specific. Interesting, yes. But not sticking.

Instead of pushing through in the usual way, I tried something different.

I switched to the audiobook.

Same book. Same author. Same content.
Completely different experience.

Suddenly I was absorbing it. I could follow the explanations more easily. The ideas felt more fluid and less dense.

There was one catch. The book includes useful diagrams and visual references. So I downloaded the Kindle version as well, meaning I now listen while walking and glance at the diagrams when I need them.

I am, technically, “reading” three versions of the same book.

And it has made me pause.

Preference vs Effectiveness

I have always thought of myself as someone who prefers reading physical books. It feels focused. Proper. Intentional.

But preference and effectiveness are not always the same thing.

In this case, audio helped me process complex detail more naturally. The diagrams helped consolidate it. Combining formats made the learning stick.

It has made me wonder how often we default to what feels familiar rather than what works best.

Learning Is Not One-Dimensional

In professional development, we often talk about learning styles. Visual. Auditory. Reading and writing. Kinesthetic.

There is healthy debate about how fixed these categories really are. But what feels undeniable is this:

We don’t learn the same way in every situation.

Some material needs quiet focus.
Some benefits from movement.
Some makes more sense when we hear tone and emphasis.
Some needs to be sketched, mapped, or talked through.

The content matters. The context matters. Our energy matters.

And sometimes mixing formats deepens understanding.

A Small Reflection for You

If something isn’t landing, instead of concluding that you’re distracted, incapable, or uninterested, it might be worth asking:

• Is this the right format for me?

• Do I need to hear this rather than read it?

• Would movement help?

• Do I need diagrams, discussion, or repetition?

• What combination would make this stick?

We are often more adaptable than we think.

As for me, I still can’t not finish a book. That habit remains firmly intact.

But I might be more flexible about how I get to the end.