We all know that learning can be a challenging process. You might find yourself facing one or more of the following barriers to learning at some point in your life. But don't worry, you can overcome any of these barriers with a bit of effort and perseverance! You just need to have the right strategy for each situation.

Here are the top 5 barriers to learning and how to overcome them.

Barrier #1: Procrastination

We've all been there before. We have an assignment to do for school, some research paper that is due, or some project that we need to get done at work. Either the deadline is looming over us, or it has passed, and we are left wondering, “Why did I wait so long?” The truth is we don't really know why we procrastinate.

But what we do know is that by breaking down our tasks into manageable chunks, setting reasonable deadlines/timelines, and using these three tips, you can overcome the barrier of procrastination!

Barrier #2: Distractions

Whether you are in the comfort of your own home or in a lively classroom with 25 chatty peers, distractions can make it very difficult to learn something new. There are many types of distractions that you may encounter while learning.

For example, social media is a big culprit these days as we are constantly checking our Facebook newsfeeds and updating our Twitter statuses! Another huge distraction can be your cell phone or other electronic devices such as iPads or laptops that have access to the internet.

To overcome this barrier, it's important that you find an environment where you won't be distracted. If this means going out into a public place like a coffee shop so you can work undisturbed, do it! If you need music to concentrate on your schoolwork, try downloading some music apps on your electronic devices so you can access your playlist without having to “browse” the internet.

Barrier #3: Fear of Failure

Failure is a part of life; we all experience it at some point. It's inevitable and even necessary for growth as a person. But when learning something new, failing can sometimes be discouraging even though you should be taking risks!

Get yourself enrolled in courses that will allow you to develop your skillset. SkillsFuture courses in Singapore, for example, are a series of courses that are available for Singaporeans. The government of Singapore took this initiative so more people could gain the knowledge and confidence needed to take on new challenges.

Another way to overcome this barrier is to start with something small. It can be as simple as completing your first assignment or rewriting your resume; these “small” baby steps will help you feel more confident about what you're learning!

Barrier #4: Poor Physical Health

We all know that a healthy lifestyle is a key to a successful life. But what does physical health have to do with learning? When you're sitting hunched over a textbook, trying to understand the material, but you feel yourself growing more and more tired as time goes on, is your physical health really up to par?

Sometimes the simplest things can have a huge impact on your ability to learn! That's why it's important for you to stay physically active. In addition to exercise, eating right and getting enough sleep is just as essential when learning something new.

Barrier #5: Negative Mindset

Last but not least is a mindset. Your mindset encompasses many emotions, both positive and negative — fear, anxiety, happiness — these all affect how you think, behave and learn.

There are negative mindsets that can be really discouraging and prevent you from learning something new. These include: I don't have time, I'm too old/young to learn this, and Everyone else is doing it, so why can't I?

When you find yourself thinking like this, simply change your thoughts to “I will make time for this”, “This is not too late for me”, or “They're enjoying themselves, so why shouldn't I?”.

Learning can be a difficult process, but it's also one that we all have to go through at some point in our lives. That being said, there are many barriers that may make learning more challenging. The good news is that not all hope is lost! You can overcome any barrier with a bit of perseverance and motivation. Remember, learning is a lifelong process.

Overcoming these barriers won't happen overnight, but as long as you stay committed to learning something new and remember that failure is just part of the process, nothing is impossible!

The Most Common Barriers To Learning – And How To Overcome Them