"Ipsa scientia potestas est"
The father of English essay, Sir Francis Bacon, conceptualized his philosophy into this Latin quote (mentioned in his book Meditationes Sacrae), meaning “knowledge itself is power”.
If knowledge is such a powerful tool, the following thing to question is: how to gain rich knowledge in different domains effectively?
Knowledge is open to all; we must only commit and master the right strategy to acquire it effectively. Both conventional and non-conventional methods can be easily used. All one needs to do is access the right ones. Apart from some specific industry-relevant methods, try these general ways to gain more knowledge:
| 1. Be Curious | 10. Observe |
| 2. Read | 11. Reason |
| 3. Research | 12. Experiment |
| 4. Listen | 13. Be self-analytic |
| 5. Write | 14. Learn from failures |
| 6. Teach others | 15. Be creative |
| 7. Practice | 16. General wellness |
| 8. Be Thirsty | 17. Bite-sized learning |
| 9. Be open | 18. Find a mentor |
People who like to learn new things massively ameliorate their wisdom over time. This is because their curious knowledge-seeking attitude makes it easy to gain knowledge in any field. Hence, a genuine interest in the topic makes learning fun and 10x faster. Consequently, this attitude contributes to becoming more creative, happy, confident, skilled and productive.
The sources outlined below are wholesome for people with an appetite for knowledge. Take a dive and learn how to gain knowledge about everything.
#LearnThisTheEasyWay#
1. Be Curious
A curious mind is as fertile as a turtle. It is filled with insightful questions and actively seeks answers. Take a look at your personality and see if you are naturally curious about things in your vicinity. If not, begin asking questions like "what", "who", "where", "why" and "how". These questions are serious paths to learning.
Curious minds ask questions. These questions spring from their deep understanding of a phenomenon and questions arise when they hit a brick wall. This brick wall melts down with knowledge inflow, facilitated by asking genius questions. Hence, curiosity is the road to lifelong learning. Research backs this claim to show how curious minds retain information on a topic for longer periods. This is mainly because the intrinsic motivation factor endorses a genuine interest in a topic.
So, to gain knowledge, simply ASK!
2. Read
If curiosity is the path to learning forever, then reading is the concrete that paves it. Reading is the most personal and classic way to gain knowledge. Books, articles, blogs, novels, newspapers, guides, etc., are all fascinating reading sources.
To read is to add a droplet into the wide ocean of your knowledge. Time and again, reading is suggested as it comes with the benefit of:
| - Gaining vocabulary |
| - Increasing empathy |
| - Preventing cognitive decline |
| - Reducing stress and depression |
| - Brings new ideas and knowledge |
| - Building self-confidence |
| - Imaginative thinking |
Apart from these, reading skill is a cognitive aid that strengthens your mind's cognitive network and enhances it over time. Here, special mention needs to be made of speed reading. When you speed read, your thinking methods improve dramatically.
The onset of audiobooks and podcasts has become massively popular among the busybodies of today. The end goal is to find some time off during the day to sit quietly in the warmth of your thoughts and gain knowledge from a piece of writing.
3. Research
When critically reading, the mind is subject to knowledge and many new concepts. This is where the curious mind comes into play once again. Reading, if backed by research, incentivizes the process of learning altogether.
The individual efforts to dig deeper into a subject matter arouses the chief factor of knowledge gain - intrinsic motivation - to make learning more permanent and self-sufficient. If you seek a solution to gain deep knowledge, enhance your research skills.
It is wise to research, accumulate, and update knowledge from credible online sources and books.
4. Listen
Knowledge echoes all around you. Simply, LISTEN, and inhale it in. Listening to others is the easiest way to gain knowledge about something. All you require is undivided attention.
This listening exercise to gain knowledge can take place irrespective of the environment.
Listen when people speak on worthy and important topics, pick up information, and contemplate. There is a lot that can be learned. For example, people who are prolific speakers impart knowledge and teach the skill of public speaking alongside. This practice is best to gain some knowledge every day. Just listen, observe, and assimilate.
5. Write
It is suggested that note-making is best when handwritten. Similarly, knowledge becomes more permanent when meticulously penned down. Writing is an art, a skill, and a great knowledge enhancer.
By writing what you read, the memory and retention processes fire up. Because it involves both faculties of cognitive and fine motor skills. By recalling and finding the exact words, the process becomes doubly explanatory - first to yourself and then to your readers.
All the information you soak up oozes out through writing. In this process, knowledge is synthesized, organized, reflected, and shared. For instance, if you come across something fascinating on the internet, just write it down and research it in length. This is ideal for gaining knowledge from the internet.
Writing has diverse benefits apart from just being an effective way to gain deep knowledge. It is proven that writing down goals, aspirations, and life experiences makes for a strong mindset and builds a positive thinking attitude by helping manifest intentions and vision.
6. Teach Others
Teaching others has the same effect on the brain as writing. Teaching requires you to do your homework - read and research. When you gain knowledge about anything through teaching, it gets synthesized, analyzed, categorized, and simplified in an easy-to-understand manner.
During this process, knowledge gets exchanged. New perspectives, questions, topics, and broad learning happens with this process of teaching. Our micro-learning app: KoolStories, is built to facilitate this valuable transfer of knowledge in a conducive, social, and encouraging environment. Here professionals come together in a knowledge-rich environment to pass their learning on to others. The learners and the skilled experts mutually benefit from categorized content and global skill communities. Download KoolStories - a platform for like-minded people to begin smooth learning and networking.
7. Practice
Practizing is fundamental to improve your skills. Moreover, it reinforces your knowledge, to make it everlasting and natural. It is aimed to bring both old and new knowledge to use and repeated practice sessions for improvement.
A fun way is to connect old knowledge and build new concepts on it. In simpler terms, it means connecting your new learning to an old practice. For example, those who know how to skate can use their knowledge/practice of balancing when learning how to cycle or trapeze. This connected learning helps to easily gain knowledge and understanding.
8. Be Thirsty
Your mind will develop the absorptive sponge-like traits and acquire knowledge only when you allow it to. Therefore, it is primarily needed to cultivate a desire and a thirst for learning.
The willingness to walk into new experiences with an open mind is pivotal for knowledge expansion. For instance, Steve Jobs learned calligraphy skills and used them to design the first Mac fonts. This example shows how productive minds try new things, continue learning, and mindfully plot knowledge to use. For this, you need to, step out of your comfort zone and push yourself into a skyline of new challenges, wider prospects, and brilliance.
9. Be Open
Every moment can become a learning opportunity if you pay close attention. For example, all travelling experiences teach some valuable life skills. Maybe you learn how to erect a tent, gain knowledge of trekking equipment, know how to make a last-minute booking, or read a map, the possibilities to gain knowledge by being taught or through observation are endless.
Life experiences are filled with valuable and rich knowledge-filled lessons that come to those who are open to them.
Allow your thoughts to wander, go places, meet people, ask questions, and add pearls of wisdom to your knowledge reserve.
10. Observe
A great deal of learning happens by observing others.
Albert Bandura's social learning theory is based on this exact principle of observation and modification of behaviour patterns.
The skill of chopping can be learned by observing a chef at work. Or, maybe, observe a painter to perceive the delicacy of each paint stroke. In everyday life, tremendous knowledge is gained by watching people on YouTube or social media influencers.
Simply, watch others, and take physical or mental notes of their methods and techniques.
11. Reason
"All possible knowledge, then, depends on the validity of reasoning...Unless human reasoning is valid no science can be true."
-C.S. Lewis
Logic is the mental knack behind the reasoning. Building logic requires ample understanding, point of view, and an opinion. This logic promotes comparison and contrast of ideas, resulting in the rise of intellectual truth.
Sound reasoning and logic make up for the highest form of knowledge acquisition. A knowledge-rich, fertile mind has enough reasons to support his learning.
12. Experiment
All avant-garde literary movements gave the world a fresher perspective to look at things. Such revolutionaries experimented with their knowledge to conceive a new idea. Therefore, experimenting is an inseparable part of learning.
To gain knowledge is never enough. What's needed is to build upon it, use it in a new manner, and solve problems.
13. Self-analysis and Discipline
There is a lot to be learned from the self. Take a proper peek into your abilities and genius and become knowledgeable about your skill sets. This review habit will highlight the areas that need improvement and those that you can encash.
Deep within yourself, there lies a reservoir of knowledge, waiting to be intercepted; recognize it and tap into it.
Self-analysis will scan all the wisdom that lies in the unconscious mind and look for productive and unyielding habits to modify. A habitual routine sweep or introspection is a means to bring discipline to gain knowledge every day.
14. Learn From Failures
There is no better source to gain rich knowledge than your own failures. Just like victories, failure should also be celebrated. Since they help to bring about a certain finesse to learning. For this reason, it is one of the many powerful tricks to improve your skills.
An insight into what "not to do" leads to improvement. Up your game by taking notes from mistakes and be bold enough to face challenges.
15. Creative Sparks
Those with a creative bend are better problem solvers and well-rounded thinkers. Any creative skill you develop, evolve and influence your overall personality. Therefore, a lot can be gained by learning them.
The many benefits of being creative come from stimulating ideas and brainstorming. For such creative sparks, you must:
- Broaden your thinking to browse across diverse fields
- Recognize your ideas
- Accept feedback and criticism
16. General Wellness
To gain knowledge fast, mental and physical wellness should be a priority. Your body and mind have to be aligned and ready to gain knowledge. For this, exercise is a must for physical fitness and stress alleviation becomes a necessity for the mind.
A blend of all these sixteen effective methods will tremendously increase your capacity to add to your knowledge and understanding so that you can use it seamlessly.
17. Explore bite-sized learning
You can learn any and everything through small pieces of informative content on the go. Bite-sized learning, also called microlearning, has gained massive popularity among students and professionals since it has proven to be highly effective.
It saves your time while providing topic-specific content in small episodes. Thus, you gain knowledge quickly and also stay safe from information overload.
On top of that, bite-sized learning also leaves room for you to assess and absorb new information. Being a relatively new gateway to education, it comes with endless possibilities too. You can check our home page to indulge in microlearning. It can be your substitute to learn more or your tool to enjoy an edge over your competition.
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18. Find a teacher you admire
Being self-taught is excellent, but it is always better to have a mentor who can guide you.
Find a teacher who is knowledgeable and has good teaching skills. A professional who inspires you to learn and is genuinely interested in your growth. It is not easy, but the effort is worth every second of your "student life". It would be even better if you could share common interests and a love for learning.
Remember, your upskilling depends on your efforts and your teacher's guidance. They can reduce your blunders to silly mistakes and enhance your genius to your achievements.
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