Make Your Learning Stick: A Three-Step Framework for Coaches and Creators
Have you ever attended a class or workshop that was packed with great information, the kind where you loved the topic, loved the presenter, and left feeling energized, only to realize a week later that you can’t remember much of anything, let alone apply it?
You’re not alone. And it’s not your fault.
This happens all the time because subject‑matter expertise doesn’t automatically translate into the ability to teach. Even the most brilliant coaches, consultants, and leaders unintentionally create learning experiences that are:
Designed for the wrong audience
Overstuffed with content
Too complex or too fast
Missing the “how do I actually use this?” piece
The result? Learners leave inspired… but unchanged.
And for many coaches or experts who want to create a course or workshop, whether to serve existing clients or attract new ones, the process feels intimidating. You know your topic deeply, but you’re not an instructional designer. You don’t want to become one. You just want to teach what you know in a way that actually helps people.
Good news: you don’t need a degree in adult learning to create a clear, engaging, and effective course. You just need a simple structure.
That’s exactly why I created the Promise‑Path‑Practice™ Course Builder Framework — a three‑step process designed specifically for people who are not instructional designers but who want to create learning that sticks.
In this month’s post, I’ll walk you through the three phases and show you how to design a course or workshop that delivers real transformation for your learners and real results for your business.
Let’s dive in.
Why Course Design Feels Hard
Most people start designing a course by asking, “What should I teach?” But that question leads straight into a trap.
When you know a topic well, it’s incredibly hard to remember what it felt like not to know it. Psychologists call this The Curse of Knowledge, the cognitive bias that makes experts assume others understand more than they actually do.
This leads to courses that:
Try to teach everything
Move too quickly
Skip foundational concepts
Leave learners overwhelmed or confused
And when learners feel lost, you feel frustrated because you know your content is good, but it’s not landing.
There’s a better way.
A Better Way: The Promise‑Path‑Practice™ Framework
Promise‑Path‑Practice™ is a simple, repeatable structure that helps you design learning that is focused, digestible, and actionable. It answers three essential questions:
PROMISE: What transformation are you helping the learner make?
PATH: What are the essential steps required to deliver on that promise?
PRACTICE: How will the learner apply what they’ve learned?
I like to think of this model as a bridge.
You and your learners start on one side. On the other side is the transformation you want them to achieve. The Promise defines what’s waiting for them across the bridge. The Path is the sequence of steps that gets them there. And Practice ensures that once they cross, they know how to keep going so the learning becomes real and lasting.
Let’s break each phase down.
PROMISE: Define the Transformation
Start by asking: “What do my learners need to know or be able to do by the end of this course?”
This becomes your Promise Statement, the clear, observable transformation your course delivers. Everything you include in your course must support this promise. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t belong.
During this phase, you’ll also define your learning objectives. These are the specific, measurable steps that support the transformation. Strong learning objectives are:
Action‑oriented: They start with a verb
Observable: You can see evidence of learning
Aligned: They directly support the transformation
Right‑sized: Realistic for your time, audience, and context
And finally, get clear on your audience:
Who are they?
What do they already know?
What must they know before they begin?
What might get in their way?
This ensures your Promise is achievable and relevant.
PATH: Design the Journey
Once you know the transformation, you can design the steps that lead to it.
This is where many course builders accidentally overload their learners. To avoid that, follow these guidelines:
Choose 3–5 essential lessons. More than that risks overwhelm.
Sequence from simple to complex. Build the foundation first, then layer on complexity.
Use your Promise as your filter. If a piece of content doesn’t directly support the transformation, cut it.
The Path is the backbone of your course, the structure that keeps learners oriented and confident.
PRACTICE: Make the Learning Stick
This is the phase most people skip and it’s the one that makes the biggest difference.
The brain forgets most new information within days unless it’s reinforced. Practice is what turns “I understand this” into “I can do this.”
Ask yourself: “How will people apply what they’ve learned?”
Here are some simple ways to build practice into your course:
Reflection Prompt: A question that helps learners connect the content to their real world
Small Assignment: A short activity or exercise
Peer Practice: Role‑plays or partner work
First‑Step Action: A specific next step learners commit to after the session
Practice is where transformation becomes real.
Next Steps
Creating impactful learning experiences is one of the most powerful ways to serve your clients and to attract new ones. When you design with Promise‑Path‑Practice™, you create courses and workshops that are clear, focused, and genuinely useful.
Your learners will remember what you taught them. They’ll know how to apply it. And you’ll feel confident that your expertise is making a real difference.
When you put Promise‑Path‑Practice™ into action, I’d love to hear what you’re creating. Reach out with your questions, your wins, or even your messy first drafts. I’m here for all of it. Give yourself permission to start small. Momentum will meet you there.
And if you want support or collaboration on any of your learning design projects, visit www.barbtobicoaching.com/course-design for more resources to help you get started.
