Apply what you learned with 6 simple steps
Life is full of learning opportunities, but the true challenge lies in applying that knowledge effectively to see tangible results. This is particularly crucial when it comes to enhancing our careers and achieving our goals.
As a life-long learner, I’ve explored a wide range of topics from business building to renewable energy. And after a while, I realized that understanding something is just the beginning; the real magic happens when you apply this knowledge.
In today’s era of AI, information is more accessible than ever. With all these resources at our fingertips, effectively apply what we learned or read is as crucial as the learning process itself
Learning effectively involves two key steps.
- The first is acquiring knowledge, whether through reading or being taught.
- The second, and often overlooked step, is applying this knowledge.
Without application, knowledge remains just a theory in our heads. To truly benefit from what we’ve learned, we must put it into practice, using it to advance our goals and improve ourselves.
So, how can you effectively apply what you’ve learned? Here’s a straightforward approach:
I assume that by now, you’ve already taken notes on what you want to apply, learned a lot, and captured plenty of relevant information. With that foundation in mind, here’s how you can effectively utilize those to gain actual results:
Start by selecting knowledge that aligns with your goals and can provide tangible benefits. Understanding why you’re learning something makes it easier to apply it.
For example, I want to apply the feedback framework I learned from a Master of Scale podcast to provide feedback to my employees in a way that’s easier for them to accept and improve upon.
After identifying what you want to apply, of course, you need to review – read them again.
Remember spaced repetition? The more you read them back, the more you remember.
Imagine how you will use the knowledge. For example, if you plan to use a new pitching technique at work, visualize yourself applying it and the positive feedback you might receive. This visualization can enhance your likelihood of success.
Here’s a quick read about the power of visualization
Put what you’ve learned into practice. This step is crucial and where the real learning happens.
To remember to do this, you can write yourself reminder
Or you can go 1 step further by using AI to automatically suggest it to you when something relevant to its arise
With Saner.ai, you can do that with similar note feature. For example if you are working on startup, AI will recommend notes relating to Startup you saved in the past
It’s pretty common for folks to miss their own progress. That’s where journaling comes in as a seriously effective strategy. Just writing things down can reveal how much ground you’ve covered.
Additionally, pay attention to what isn’t working for you when you forget to apply what you’re learning. Take note of any necessary corrections, enabling you to become even more effective in the future.
Share your goals with someone you trust, like a manager, spouse, or friend. They can provide feedback and hold you accountable, significantly increasing your chances apply what you learned to life
When you keep your goals to yourself, it’s like having plans that are easy to ignore. But when you share your goals with others, you’re much more likely to actually do them.
For example, share with your friends that you’re going to apply what you learn from ‘How to Win Friends & Influence People‘ to your life, and ask them to help by monitoring your behavior. They’ll probably jump at the chance to let you know whenever you slip up 🙂
With these simple 6 steps, I hope that you all can apply what you learned in life so that those notes you captured become helpful to you, instead of just sitting their in the dark
