5 Tips For Becoming Brilliant Today
Today, I was blessed by a very thought-provoking conversation with 3 friends who challenge me and my business in some amazing ways. I decided to jack-leg that conversation and fit it into a blog post.
We’re going to look at 5 everyday ways to become a better learner. Practice these tips daily, and you just might find yourself tapping into brain cells you thought you lost in college.
1. Stop Seeing. Start Observing.
We are witness to hundreds of events which unfold around us each and every day. More often than not, we simply see them take place. We’re so wrapped up in our thoughts and emotions that we only catch the most superficial aspects of what’s occuring around us.
Slow down. Look deeper. Do you see an old,dirty bum on the street? Or, do you observe an eternal human soul with thoughts and emotions; a beautiful creation with a less than fortunate history? Get beyond yourself and look beneath the surface.
2. Read to Teach
Next time you’re reading a blog via RSS Feed, or an article via newspaper, try to focus on how you would teach the material to others. It’s difficult at first, but well worth the process. You will retain more and will be able to apply the material more directly to your life.
This happens when you actively frame the material into your context as you read it. In searching for ways to teach it, you connect on a much deeper level with the information. This has worked wonder for my retention with books.
3. Ask The Question ‘Why?’
Don’t be a child about this, but do seek to understand the concepts and principles that are at play in different situations around you…
- Why are talk shows the only thing I can find on the radio in the morning?
- Why is my boss on such a rampage today?
- Why do I always talk myself out of taking important risks?
There are some potentially complex answers to each of those questions. By asking why, you can peel the layers back and dig into some very interesting concepts. This will work wonders for exercising your critical thinking skills.
4. Challenge Assumptions
We make assumptions all day long. We assume the expressway will be clogged, so we drive a different way. We assume our significant others are in a bad mood, so we leave them alone. We assume that folks with points of view contrary to ours are ignorant or misinformed.
Challenge every assumption you make. This will take some hard work and introspection as you start to realize just how many of these assumptions you’re working off of throughout the course of the day. Be brutally honest with yourself. It’ll be extremely enlightening.
5. Have Deep, Intelligent Conversations
Like the one that sparked the idea for this blog post. Get together with friends who are wiser and more experienced than you. Pick their brains. Argue with them. Passionately present your point of view and then let them tear you to pieces.
At the center of each of these tips is humility. Disregard your pride and learn to be teachable. In every experience and situation, their is so much to be learned. Take these tips and get intentional about how you tap into the amazing learning experiences all around you.
Do you have any tips to add to the list?
Really like the Read to Teach idea. Never thought about how important that is. As a minister, I try to read a lot, but in doing so, I’m afraid it’s just accumulating information, not knowledge. For what it’s worth, I don’t think knowledge is the end all place either, you gotta apply it to your life before you can teach it.
Thanks for the encouragement and the good read…now to apply.
Ignore the incosequential.
Kenny – Excellent Post – Simple To The Point and Very Very Actionable.
“We’re so wrapped up in our thoughts and emotions that we only catch the most superficial aspects of what’s occuring around us.” Without getting wrapped up in the details, paying close attention to the “what and why” and the effects. Going deeper will uncover “things” you can’t see from the surface.
“In searching for ways to teach it, you connect on a much deeper level with the information.” Made me smile to myself – You are right, when you read and look for deeper meaning, it makes what your reading so much more powerful, and to me, enjoyable – I feel like I am truly getting the “words on the paper (or kindle) to speak to me!” Read To Teach – Like IT!
Being Inquisitive has so many benefits for everyone involved. Get beneath the surface and get to the root of the issue. Or perhaps, find out what the success was all about. Ask someone how their day was…mostly like, you will get an answer somewhere between “It was good” or “It was great” – okay, tell me why it was so good…
“Be Brutally Honest With Yourself “- Enough Said. This might be the most painful, but it will be the most rewarding!!!!
And always seek to better yourself…
Great Post Kenny – looking forward to more from Faith In Leadership!
SPGonz
Wow- ‘Stop seeing, start observing’. In the words of Kenny Banya, ‘That’s Gold!’ Seriously, switching how we experience the world is a key to learning. Great reminder Kenny.
Stop making excuses…
how about read something outside of your interest? it can be challenging and yet rewarding at the same time.