"How Note Taking and Passionate Pursuits Can Propel Expertise and Personal Growth"

Kazuki

Hatched by Kazuki

Jul 20, 2023

3 min read

0

"How Note Taking and Passionate Pursuits Can Propel Expertise and Personal Growth"

Introduction:

Note taking is a powerful tool that can aid in the development of expertise, especially in ill-structured domains where concepts are variable and messy. By collecting and connecting fragments of information, individuals can accelerate their understanding and build an adaptive worldview. Additionally, pursuing passions and being obsessed with solving important problems can lead to personal fulfillment and success. In this article, we will explore the connections between note taking, cognitive flexibility theory (CFT), and Drew Houston's commencement address, and provide actionable advice for leveraging these concepts in our own lives.

Idea One: Ill-Structured Domains and Note Taking:

CFT highlights the importance of ill-structured domains, where concepts are instantiated in highly variable ways. In such domains, experts rely on reasoning from previous cases rather than first principles. Note taking becomes a crucial tool in this process, allowing individuals to collect and connect fragments of information from various cases. By using a hypertextual system, where concepts are backlinked to other cases, learners can create a large collection of fragments to assemble from and develop an adaptive worldview.

Idea Two: Passion and Obsession in Pursuing Important Problems:

Drew Houston's commencement address emphasizes the significance of being obsessed with solving important problems. Merely loving what we do is not enough; we must be driven by a strong passion, like a dog chasing a tennis ball. Working on exciting problems becomes fun, and the hardest-working individuals are motivated by the pull of the problem. Surrounding ourselves with inspiring people who share our passion is equally important. By seeking out the top individuals in our field and learning from our heroes, we can elevate our own skills and knowledge.

Actionable Advice:

  • 1. Implement a Hypertextual Note Taking System: Choose a note-taking app with backlinking capabilities and start copying cases into it. Highlight concepts and split passages into smaller segments for easy backlinking. Continuously search for new and diverse cases to enrich your collection of fragments.
  • 2. Follow Your Passion: Identify the problem or topic that truly excites you and pursue it passionately. Surround yourself with inspiring individuals who share your passion and learn from them. Seek out the top people in your field and be willing to move and adapt to where the real action is happening.
  • 3. Embrace Adventure and Continuous Growth: Instead of striving for perfection, allow yourself to embrace the journey and make your life an adventure. Take risks, learn from failures, and be open to new experiences. Remember that time is limited, and each day is an opportunity for growth and progress.

Conclusion:

Note taking and passionate pursuits are interconnected tools that can lead to expertise and personal growth. By leveraging a hypertextual note-taking system and exposing ourselves to diverse cases, we can accelerate our understanding and develop an adaptive worldview. Additionally, following our passions and surrounding ourselves with inspiring individuals can fuel our motivation and lead to fulfilling and successful lives. Embrace the adventure, strive for continuous growth, and never settle for anything less than what truly pulls you.

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