How to be more intentional,
think more clearly,
do more consistently,
and have what really matters.
General knowledge vs.
Specialized knowledge
Dick Biggs
In your formative years, you were inundated with general knowledge to provide a solid educational foundation and expose you to a variety of life paths. It`s the shotgun approach to learning. The focus is on awareness and accumulation of general knowledge.
But when formal schooling ends, it`s time to seek specialized knowledge, since the sheer volume of information makes it impossible to act on every idea. It`s the rifle approach to learning. The focus shifts to repetition, formation of purpose, and application of specialized knowledge.
It`s easy to become an education junkie and an application flop if you don`t follow all five steps of knowledge. Here`s a closer look at these steps:
l. Awareness of general knowledge. The purpose of awareness is stimulation of thought. For your mind to function fully, it must be stirred consistently so that your imagination is alert to all of life`s possibilities.
2. Accumulation of general knowledge. The purpose of accumulation is to provide a base of learning to serve as your academic foundation. One body of knowledge builds upon another body of knowledge as one floor builds upon another floor in the erection of a skyscraper. Build your skyscraper of knowledge one day at time, one floor at a time.
3. Repetition of specialized knowledge. Once your foundation is in place, the purpose of repetition is to gain understanding about a select body of knowledge so you can become an authority in a particular field. Indeed, the art of mastery is often a natural gravitation towards a God-given talent.
4. Formation of purpose linked to specialized knowledge. The bridge between knowledge and action is purpose. Learn all you can about your life`s passion (specialized knowledge) to help you discover why you are here (purpose).
5. Application of specialized knowledge. In Think And Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill said: "Knowledge is only potential power. It becomes power only when, and if, organized into definite plans of action and directed to a definite end."
Practice daily what you know and love to do (action) until you become an expert.
Dick Biggs is president of Biggs Optimal Living Dynamics. An inspirational speaker, he is the author of If Life is Balancing Act, Why l Am I So Darn Clumsy? For more information about Mr. Biggs, call (770) 886-3035.
