The Secret to Success in Instruction

Many people that want to learn something new will either go online, watch a video, and execute the task they wish to learn.

This is how the process works, and this is the Team SOFAST methodology to retaining knowledge under stress, and critical moments were second count. This is a four step process that is guaranteed to retain any knowledge no matter what it is you’re trying to pursue.

Step 1. Explanation; That means giving the “so what and why” answer. The Task, Conditions, & Standard. Step 2. Demonstration; The instructor should lead by example and always demonstrate every new task repeatedly to ensure a full understanding at this stage.

Step 3. Practical application; now the student gets to apply what they have observed with their eyes and visually accepted through the demonstration process. They now do it themselves to achieve a stated goal or a specific standard. Most instructors today consider this success, having watched the student demonstrate the ability to successfully accomplish a task. Wrong!

Step 4. Here is where the magic lies, “repetition” say that three times repetition repetition repetition!

In the military, the difference between Special Forces and the main branches of service is this. When Special Forces green berets accomplish a task successfully this becomes the starting line and the beginning, and what we call the lifelong pursuit of mastery.

It is often said and asked what makes Special Forces special? The answer is simple mastery of the basics.

Once you have accomplished a task successfully in a classroom or a safe controlled environment. Now the work begins. Now you will practice this task during inclement weather conditions, equipment, malfunction or failure, hours of limited visibility, darkness, during life-threatening injuries in the middle of a firefight. These are just a few examples of that original task being brought along the journey in your pursuit of mastery.

Lastly, after every execution of the critical task, you wish to master, you must conduct an after action review(AAR). Write down what went correctly, what went wrong, and capture every lesson learned(every single time). It is amazing to watch how problems and errors become smaller and less frequent until you quite literally can accomplish this task with your eyes closed.