In a previous email series we covered 2 of the 4 main mistakes I see people make when preparing for a Six Sigma exam – and how to solve for them. If you missed those emails, let me know and I’ll re-send them.
- Mistake #1: Not Knowing What is on the Exam
- Mistake #2: No familiarity with how questions are actually asked on the exam.
For the next 2 weeks let’s cover the last 2 mistakes:
- Mistake #3: Trying to study everything all at once.
- Mistake #4: Trying to do everything by yourself.
Trying to study everything all at once == The Path to Frustration
This kind of mistake is nearly written into the genetic code of all people and in all situations.
Let me give you an example.
I love working on the Six Sigma Study Guide website. I love making it better so it serves more people. I love that people use it to help get certified which leads to better careers, better job fulfillment, and applying practices that improve lives for their customers and communities.
Seriously, it’s a lot of fun and very rewarding.
And not totally unexpectedly, a community of quality professionals dedicated to continuous improvement have ideas on how I could improve the site. Many ideas. Many, many, many ideas!
And I’d love to implement all of them.
The problems come when I start working on one improvement but before I finish that one I get another dozen or so ideas. They all seem like really good ideas! And before you know it I’m off and running on the next idea.
Unsurprisingly, it’s easy to get frustrated when you operate in this manner.
Why is it so Frustrating?
What could be more frustrating than doing a lot of work but not achieving any results?
There’s an easy solution to this. Here’s a hint: it’s not conventional wisdom.
Conventional Wisdom is Wrong
Conventional Wisdom would tell you that if you want to get more done, if you want to be more productive, just work harder!!
Conventional wisdom is wrong.
If you want to achieve more, working harder (when you’re already working hard!) isn’t the answer.
If the secret isn’t working harder, what is the answer?
Can you guess what the answer is? Can you guess how understanding, identifying, and solving this pattern of mistake is crucial to helping you pass your Six Sigma certification?
I’ll cover that next time. In the meantime I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Comments (4)
I failed the exam yesterday. None of what I expected from the mock exams came out. I’m devastated.
Oh, no, Christian! I’ll follow up on email immediately and we’ll come up with some next steps.
I am thoroughly amazed at how much detail you have placed into your website. Although I am only at the Yellow Belt stage I know for a fact that your site will be the first I visit when the time comes for me to study for the next levels of Green Belt and on.
Your study guide for the Yellow has been exceptionally helpful and your emails lend a bit confidence that it can be done and that I stand a chance at passing this class.
So to your question, “if it isn’t working harder”, that is the secret to achieving results then what is? I have been searching for that answer since I started my first year of college oh so many years ago. I did find along the way (and you mentioned this before as well) knowing why you are trying to achieve something is very important.
In this world today most people want instant gratification, without the work that goes along with it. We search the web world for someone who may have found the answer instead of putting that same amount of energy in studying for ourselves. That’s why I like your program. It isn’t you putting the answers out for everyone but helping each person individually find what works for them in using your program.
I think the answer to the secret of learning, the secret of success, and how hard you work for it is going to be different for everyone. Is the reason for more money, to chase a paycheck, to get promoted and have a higher status, or just simply because you desire to be a better person with more to offer your job or community or even yourself? I don’t know but I hope your using your program helps me find out.
Thank you for the compliment and your amazingly eloquent reply, Elaine!