How to Apply What You Learn in Real-Life Work and Daily Life

How to Apply What You Learn in Real-Life Work and Daily Life

Have you ever found yourself learning something new but struggling to apply it in your work or daily life? This is a common challenge that many people face. The concept of "学以致用" (applying what you learn) is all about ensuring that our learning serves a purpose in helping us lead better lives. It emphasizes the importance of outputting what we have learned in order to truly internalize and master the knowledge.

One of the core concepts in the "学以致用" course is the knowledge tree learning method. This method teaches us to organize our knowledge in a structured and interconnected way, similar to how a tree branches out. By visualizing our knowledge in this manner, we can easily see the relationships between different topics and concepts, making it easier to apply them to real-life situations.

Another valuable technique introduced in the course is the concept of card thinking. This involves summarizing key ideas and concepts onto small cards, which can then be reviewed and referenced whenever needed. This method not only helps us retain information more effectively but also enables us to quickly access and apply the knowledge in practical situations.

The "70-20-10 rule" is another interesting concept discussed in the course. It suggests that 70% of our learning and growth comes from the work itself. This means that we should actively seek opportunities to learn while performing our job responsibilities. Whether it's tackling new challenges, collaborating with colleagues, or even teaching others, every aspect of our work can be a valuable learning experience.

The remaining 20% of our learning comes from communication. Effective communication is crucial for learning and applying knowledge, whether it's collaborating with colleagues, discussing ideas with clients, or presenting our work to leaders. By honing our communication skills, we can better convey our thoughts and ideas, facilitating the application of our knowledge in various contexts.

The final 10% of our learning comes from specialized training and learning experiences. While these formal learning settings are important, they should not be the sole focus of our learning journey. Instead, we should strive to integrate our learning into our everyday work and life. This can be achieved by presenting our work in a compelling and professional manner, reflecting on our experiences, mentoring others, or persuading clients to make informed decisions.

To truly apply what we learn, it is crucial to move beyond fragmented reading and superficial note-taking. Instead, we should adopt a more active approach, such as using mind maps to efficiently read books. The process begins by placing the central image, such as the book cover or title, in the center of a large sheet of paper. Then, we can go through the table of contents to identify the basic ordering ideas. With a broad overview in mind, we can skim through each page, focusing on chapter titles and main keywords, and create a mind map that captures the main branches and key concepts of the book. This method allows us to gain a holistic understanding of the book's content in a short amount of time.

After the initial preview, we can delve deeper into specific aspects of the book that interest us. By reviewing chapter titles and key keywords, we can selectively read sections that align with our learning goals. As we read, we can continuously update our mind map with additional information and insights.

Taking breaks during the reading process is essential to avoid mental fatigue and ensure effective learning. After finishing the book, we can take a moment to relax and let the information settle in our minds. This downtime allows our brains to process and internalize the knowledge we have acquired.

To reinforce our understanding and retention of the book's content, it is beneficial to engage in a review process. We can close our eyes and mentally recall the key ideas and concepts from the book. This mental review helps solidify our understanding and makes it easier to apply the knowledge in real-life situations.

Ultimately, the true test of applying what we learn lies in our ability to incorporate the book's content into our daily lives. Whether it's using the concepts and strategies in our work, sharing our insights with others, or finding practical applications for the knowledge, the goal is to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

To summarize, here are three actionable pieces of advice for effectively applying what you learn in your work and daily life:

1. Embrace the "学以致用" mindset: Recognize that the purpose of learning is to enhance our lives. Make a conscious effort to apply what you learn by actively seeking opportunities to integrate new knowledge into your work and daily routines.

2. Utilize visualization techniques: Experiment with methods like the knowledge tree and card thinking to organize and summarize your learnings. These visual aids will help you easily grasp and apply the knowledge in practical situations.

3. Adopt an active reading approach: Instead of passively consuming information, employ strategies like mind mapping and selective reading to efficiently process and retain knowledge. Regularly review and reflect on what you have learned to reinforce your understanding and make it easier to apply in real-life scenarios.

By following these actionable steps, you can enhance your learning journey and bridge the gap between theory and practice. Remember, the true value of knowledge lies in its application, so strive to be an active learner who consistently seeks opportunities to apply what you learn in your work and daily life.