Knowledge Metabolism

 Hi guys, aloha.

A quick question for you…

How many of you were crash-readers in school? Like, you'd only read when exams and tests were knocking at the door...All of a sudden, your schedule changes. Even feeding takes a back seat as you'd be focused on putting everything into your exams at that point, after which you'd return to your usual routine.

I hope your hands are up right now, 'cos I can't be the only one on this table.

So back in school, there was a fixed system put in place to assess the knowledge we gained per time. Tests, examinations, quizzes, projects, and what have you. 

The grades would either gladden us or tell some people to try again later. Examinations were the litmus test for knowledge gained and whether or not it was the perfect method of assessment, we all had to dance to the tune at one point or another. Some of you are still dancing to it right now and I send you my love. I never liked exams by the way. But I paid due diligence 'cos your girl is a good child.

Concerning personal development, it is your responsibility to institute your system of assessing what you learn per time. Now, because you're not being assessed by anyone on the books you read on your own, it is likely that you're not reading the right way or are reading right but not maximizing your reading experience. You might find yourself brushing through books and sleepwalking over deep stuff that can transform your life for good if only you'd take note. It shouldn't be. Knowledge is powerful, but only when the power is applied. 

I like how DDK puts it; knowledge changes nothing because you acquired it, it only changes something when you apply it.

So true. You read a book? So what? You took up ten courses this month alone... well-done sir. Make sure you apply it, that's what matters. 

As you mature, the more responsibility you should take for your life and its outcome and you do so by the proper application of knowledge. You are your examiner in this case, and so you must desire growth enough to be true to yourself.

Have periodic checks and assessments to know how well you're doing with all you've been learning. Reflect, meditate, correct yourself, improve, set higher standards, and reach for a higher bar. Don't be comfortable with any stage of growth you attain. 

Celebrate your wins and progress, but also press for more. Don't bask in one level of success so much that you neglect reaching higher. Yesterday's victory is often the enemy of tomorrow's battle. It doesn't have to be the case with you. Just like when you pass an examination in a certain class or level, you don't sit for the same examination again, but go on to write a tougher one in the next class. Import that approach into your personal development game. And it has to be constant. 

You are the most important examiner of your success. Even if others would give you feedback, your own assessment is important, you're both the lab rat and the lab attendant at the same time. To thyself be true. It's even possible for others to perceive an improvement but you know within you that it's not the best you could have done. So even if you'll accept their compliment and be grateful to them, you'd not let it cloud your judgment. To thyself be true. For this post, I have prepared a four-step marking scheme. Mark as though you're a strict teacher or lecturer (like me 😉) Good luck.

Step one: Knowledge gain. 

This is the first tier of the chain where your goal is solely input. You're actively acquiring knowledge from resources that supply you with the knowledge you need through the path that suits you the most according to the eight multiple intelligences as postulated by Howard Gardner. So if you're a visual-spatial learner, you'd be taking in information through pictures, drawings, illustrations, etc. If you're a linguistic learner, you'd be taking in information through words by reading, listening to presentations, seminars, lectures, conferences, etc. Read up on the eight intelligences here.

You must pay attention to your best method of taking in knowledge, that's the foundation for maximizing your learning experience.

Step two: Knowledge assimilation.

Here, you put yourself through the process of trying to understand what you've acquired. This is where jottings and highlights from your read come in handy. You might need to read and re-read again, 'cos repetition is what aids retention. Put your brain and mind on a pedestal to break down knowledge. Meditate and subject your mind to produce new thought patterns, higher paradigms, and a different breed of insight. If done well, you'll get revelation, light bulb moments, and several outbursts of insights. Ideas will replicate and reproduce in your mind and the Holy Spirit will highlight stuff to you. This is the most important stage and the following steps depend on it to be successful.

Step three: Knowledge application.

This is where wisdom comes to play. Situations in your life will demand that you apply what you learned and how well you can do so determines the success of step two. You're now to lift principles from the books, and resources you've interacted with and fix them strategically in your life to get the outcome you desire. Your decisions are of higher quality, your life changes and you evolve to a higher self and become better.

Note; I said lift principles and not copy. Don't copy another person's template verbatim. You'd be frustrated.

Step four: Knowledge transference

Here, you pay it forward. You pass on the baton to those around you. You can teach what you've learned very well, either consciously or unconsciously. Whether or not you try to, your conversations and interactions begin to project what you've learned and people pick your brain for free without you knowing it. Your vocabulary and grammar improve and you're basically a walking knowledge dispenser and a wisdom bank. This is the output tier of the system.

For you to successfully maximize your learning experience, especially to have the knowledge stick with you for life, knowledge gained must go through these processes and bag a distinction or at least a credit. (You remember this is an examination, right?)

Now, for students who crash-read, they jump from step one to step four. And even step one is not gone through carefully enough, so their attempt to transfer the knowledge to their answer booklet during the examination is only successful during the examination. After which it evaporates from their brain.

If knowledge is not properly digested and metabolized, it can result in overwhelm and so you must take time to process it properly.

That said, I should also state that it's not about the number of books, materials, or courses you interact with, what's most important is what you learn from them and how your life improves as a result. The goal of reading is not reading but learning and improving. 

This applies to everything. The Bible, books, magazines, blog posts, courses, etc.

I know you get this already, but for more emphasis, flip your Bible to Joshua 1:8

Study this Book of Instruction continually. (step one) Meditate on it day and night (step two) so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. (step three) Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

 NLT

Now, I must say this: one of the processes of learning is unlearning and relearning. Most times, a lot of what we've learned is either wrong or void of serving us as we evolve. We must learn to unlearn and relearn.

Have you learned something today? Lemme know in the comment section and let your friends know too.

Ps: we learn every day. Either you learn what to do or what not to do. We also learn from everyone; either from their achievements or regrets. 

Moral lesson: there's a lesson for every day and there are teachers everywhere. Wisdom demands that we remain good students.

Now, go right ahead and learn, unlearn, relearn and be the best version of yourself for you and the world.

Love and Light

Nancita ✨