How to Apply What You Learn in Real Life: Solving Concrete Problems

How to Apply What You Learn in Real Life: Solving Concrete Problems

Learning is a lifelong process that should be aimed at helping us improve our lives. The concept of "learning to apply" teaches us that true mastery of knowledge comes from actively applying what we learn in our daily work and life. It is through output, such as sharing our knowledge or using it to solve problems, that we truly solidify our understanding.

One of the core concepts in the "learning to apply" course is the knowledge tree learning method. This method emphasizes the importance of turning scientific memory techniques into a practical way of thinking and problem-solving. Another technique introduced in the course is the use of flashcards. The 72-20-10 rule states that 70% of our learning and growth comes from our work itself, emphasizing the importance of active learning within our specific roles and responsibilities. The remaining 20% comes from communication, whether it's collaborating with colleagues, teaching others, or engaging with clients and leaders. The remaining 10% comes from specialized training and learning scenarios.

In our work, it's important to consider the various ways we can apply our knowledge. How effectively do we communicate with our superiors? Do we provide structured and actionable solutions in team collaborations and meetings? Do we reflect on our work and learn from it? These are all forms of output that contribute to our continuous learning and growth. Whether it's convincing a client to place another order or critically analyzing our own work, our ability to effectively communicate and apply our knowledge is crucial.

To truly make the most of our learning, it's important to transform fragmented and shallow reading into a more output-oriented learning approach. Taking notes in tools like Evernote or creating mind maps can help us better retain and apply what we read. Instead of jumping from one topic to another, it's more beneficial to focus on a specific theme and conduct in-depth research. Theories may be abstract, but the lessons we learn from real-life experiences are evergreen.

Now, let's explore another valuable approach to reading - the "dialogue-style reading" introduced in the article "Day 01: Make the Author Your Personal Trainer with a Table of Contents." Reading should be a collaborative process between the reader and the author, where knowledge is co-created rather than passively absorbed. When we struggle to come up with questions, we can rely on the author to guide our thinking and generate questions for us. This transforms reading into an interactive conversation with the author, just like having a personal trainer tailor a workout for you.

The table of contents in a book serves as a summary and outline of its content. Each chapter's title represents a topic for discussion, and the smaller sections within each chapter can be seen as questions or prompts. The author's responses to these questions provide us with their unique insights and answers.

To engage in "dialogue-style reading," follow these four steps:

1. Familiarize yourself with the book's content through titles, introductions, and prefaces.
2. Browse through the table of contents and treat it as a set of questions posed by the author.
3. Attempt to answer the questions that interest you, either through writing or creating mind maps.
4. Read the book to discover the author's answers and compare them with your own.

As the poet and Nobel laureate Yeats once said, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." Engaging in humble and honest dialogue with authors allows us to learn more from the experts. When "answering" questions posed by the author, if our responses align with theirs, it indicates our understanding. We can then skim through those parts quickly. However, if our answers differ, it's essential to slow down and reflect on whether our reasoning or the author's holds more weight.

Reading should not be a race to finish books quickly; it should be a journey to gain more knowledge and insights. Investing more time and effort in classic books often leads to greater rewards. Our learning process is a complete cycle that consists of reading, note-taking, memory retention, and output.

To make this article even more informative, here are three actionable pieces of advice for applying what you learn in real life:

1. Embrace the knowledge tree learning method and flashcards: Actively utilize these techniques to reinforce your understanding and make knowledge application a natural part of your work and life.

2. Cultivate a dialogue-style reading approach: Use the table of contents as a springboard for your own questions and engage in a conversation with the author. This interactive approach will deepen your understanding and improve your ability to apply what you learn.

3. Develop a comprehensive learning process: Don't just stop at reading. Take notes, review them regularly, and find opportunities to share and apply your knowledge. By completing this cycle regularly, you'll reinforce your learning and ensure that it becomes a valuable asset in your everyday life.

In conclusion, learning should never be a passive endeavor. By actively applying what we learn, whether through output like sharing our knowledge or using it to solve real-life problems, we solidify our understanding and make our learning more meaningful. The knowledge tree learning method, flashcards, dialogue-style reading, and a comprehensive learning process all contribute to our ability to apply what we learn effectively. So, let's embrace these strategies and make the most of our learning journey.