The Importance of Note Taking in Developing Expertise and Business Sense

The Importance of Note Taking in Developing Expertise and Business Sense

Note taking is a valuable tool that can help individuals become experts in their respective fields. This is particularly true in ill-structured domains, where the concepts and their instantiation in the real world are highly variable and messy. In such domains, having a system to collect and connect fragments of cases can accelerate expertise and build an adaptive worldview.

Cognitive Flexibility Theory (CFT) provides insights into how experts deal with novelty in ill-structured domains. It emphasizes the importance of cases and the construction of a temporary schema on the fly. Experts reason from previous cases rather than relying solely on first principles. By combining fragments of previous cases, they form an adaptive worldview that allows them to navigate the complexities of their domain.

To apply CFT principles in learning, it is recommended to expose students to as many cases as possible for each concept. This helps them build a collection of fragments that can be assembled when encountering new cases. A hypertextual system, such as a note-taking app with backlinking capabilities, can be used to store and link cases and concepts. Concepts are backlinked to other cases, enabling easy access to relevant fragments.

Incorporating CFT into a learning system involves a four-stage model for worldview change. First, learners are shown the limitations of their reductive worldview. Then, the maladaptive nature of this worldview is demonstrated. Next, the adaptive worldview and its properties are introduced. Finally, learners are provided with activities to master the adaptive worldview.

Constructing a CFT hypertext system for oneself involves selecting a note-taking app with backlinking capabilities. Cases can be copied into the app, and relevant passages can be marked with concepts or case features. It is important to look for initial cases that are different from the ones already in the collection, and to continue seeking out new cases until diminishing returns are reached. The note-taking system then serves as a reference for relevant fragments when needed.

Note-taking can also be valuable in developing business sense. By analyzing the strategies and decisions of successful business leaders, such as Tadashi Yanai, the chairman of Fast Retailing, one can gain insights into their sense of business. Yanai's ability to create narratives and make connections by considering the temporal depth and breadth of strategies exemplifies business sense. Business sense involves the ability to abstract and grasp the underlying logic behind specific situations, and to apply that logic in various contexts.

In conclusion, note taking is a powerful tool for developing expertise and business sense. By collecting and connecting fragments of cases, individuals can accelerate their learning in ill-structured domains and develop an adaptive worldview. Incorporating CFT principles into a note-taking system can further enhance the learning process. To make the most of note taking, it is important to expose oneself to a variety of cases, continuously seek out new cases, and use the system as a reference for relevant fragments. By applying these actionable advice, individuals can enhance their learning and develop expertise in their chosen fields.