Regardless of job or status, it is always appealing to meet someone who has an impressive knowledge base. But it's not just about winning at Trivial Pursuit or knowing the answers on Jeopardy; people are drawn to someone who has facts and information at their disposal because it reinforces a social hierarchy. Information generates interest and being knowledgeable on a wide variety of topics can open doors to friendships, relationships and career opportunities. But how does one go about building a solid foundation of such knowledge? As a general rule, it can take a lifetime of soaking up bits of information around you to achieve this goal. But there are a few ways to quickly kick-start the journey to being a knowledge guru.
(1) Restructure your means of entertainment. If you must watch television, tune into educational programming on stations such as the History or Discovery channel. There is no need to take notes but it is important to train your mind to soak up everything it hears and sees. Cut out distractions and try not to eat while you are watching, as this inhibits your ability to pay attention. If you do happen to be watching regular programming or movies, focus on learning the actors and directors involved. Take an interest in the production and ask yourself questions like, "How did they do that effect?" or "I wonder where the idea for that joke came from?" Having an inquisitive mind makes TV less mindless and it is essential to creating a knowledge base.
(2) Trim down networking on the phone or Internet. Many of the world's greatest minds seem secluded because they do not waste frivolous hours on Facebook. Instead, do an Internet search on something you may have an interest in, like skiing. Reading quick articles on topics that interest you piques your mind to thirst for more knowledge.
(3) Purchase nonfiction books on topics that interest you. Leave them in the bathroom and around the house and pick them up whenever you have a minute. The morning and night are some of the best times to feed your brain. They need not be encyclopedias, just books that you won't mind skimming through when you have time.
(4) Nurture your inquisitive nature. Take note throughout the day when there are questions you do not know the answers to or topics you know nothing about. Make a mental note to do a quick online search and educate yourself about them later. If you have a phone with online capabilities, don't be afraid to be that person who is always searching for an answer immediately. They are the people who often have a large amount of information at their disposal. Always be curious and seek to find answers.
(5) Participate in conversations that you have little to contribute to. You will pick up information from others around you and will automatically find yourself forming opinions. Forming an opinion on something creates an interest and from there you will find yourself venturing out on your own to learn more.
(6) Heighten your overall awareness as time passes. The most important thing is to realize how much useful and useless information is floating by you every day. Once you find yourself listening and soaking up the tidbits around you, the base of knowledge will begin to grow exponentially. Don't waste time with media that contributes nothing evocative to your mind. Develop a never-ending appetite for knowledge and feed it.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
How to Acquire Knowledge
As human beings we all have the potential to acquire knowledge and learn new things throughout our lives. The quest to acquire knowledge can go beyond job training or formal education and every person can benefit from making life a learning journey in which she learns something new every day.
Knowledge can be acquired through higher education but it can also be acquired through free and plentiful sources such as public libraries and the Internet.
(A) Acquiring knowledge through formal education
Enroll in a college course or a few courses that interest you. Whether you are just out of high school or just entering retirement, it is never too early or too late to gain knowledge through institutions of higher learning. .
Find colleges that offer courses or topics that interest you. Don't worry about college applications and acceptance concerns. Many colleges offer continuing education and not-for-credit courses for life-long learners. Many community colleges allow anyone with a desire to learn to take college courses.
Colleges and universities that require formal application processes may allow those interested to enroll on a non-matriculated basis, allowing them to work through a series of courses in order to become fully accepted.
Consider online courses or seminar courses offered by colleges and universities. In the Resources section you can find information on many programs.
(B) Acquire knowledge at your local library
Sign up for a free library card at your local library. There you will have access to thousands of books, videos and audio tapes. You can check out books to take home for reading and you can acquire knowledge on nearly any topic that interests you.
Visit the library multiple times a week, many libraries allow patrons to sit and read in reading rooms in the library.
Learn at your own pace. The library, unlike traditional education, has no course requirements, grading or semester schedules. You can spend a week reading a book or go through five in a day. Your quest for knowledge is set at a pace that you find comfortable.
(C) Acquire knowledge via the Internet
Browse the Internet for topics that interest you. The search for knowledge can be as simple as visiting a search engine such as Google or Yahoo! and typing in a word or topic that you want to learn more about.
Read about topics from multiple viewpoints on the Internet. Search out academic or scientific journals online or browse the wealth of knowledge that comes from everyday people posting what they know on the Internet.
Check facts and the truth behind what you find on the Internet to further increase your knowledge on a subject. Keep in mind that what you find online is not always true, but with the Internet you can check many sources of knowledge to find the most accurate source.
Join discussion forums or writing websites to share the knowledge you acquire online. You can help others learn while at the same time learning from them.
Knowledge can be acquired through higher education but it can also be acquired through free and plentiful sources such as public libraries and the Internet.
(A) Acquiring knowledge through formal education
Enroll in a college course or a few courses that interest you. Whether you are just out of high school or just entering retirement, it is never too early or too late to gain knowledge through institutions of higher learning. .
Find colleges that offer courses or topics that interest you. Don't worry about college applications and acceptance concerns. Many colleges offer continuing education and not-for-credit courses for life-long learners. Many community colleges allow anyone with a desire to learn to take college courses.
Colleges and universities that require formal application processes may allow those interested to enroll on a non-matriculated basis, allowing them to work through a series of courses in order to become fully accepted.
Consider online courses or seminar courses offered by colleges and universities. In the Resources section you can find information on many programs.
(B) Acquire knowledge at your local library
Sign up for a free library card at your local library. There you will have access to thousands of books, videos and audio tapes. You can check out books to take home for reading and you can acquire knowledge on nearly any topic that interests you.
Visit the library multiple times a week, many libraries allow patrons to sit and read in reading rooms in the library.
Learn at your own pace. The library, unlike traditional education, has no course requirements, grading or semester schedules. You can spend a week reading a book or go through five in a day. Your quest for knowledge is set at a pace that you find comfortable.
(C) Acquire knowledge via the Internet
Browse the Internet for topics that interest you. The search for knowledge can be as simple as visiting a search engine such as Google or Yahoo! and typing in a word or topic that you want to learn more about.
Read about topics from multiple viewpoints on the Internet. Search out academic or scientific journals online or browse the wealth of knowledge that comes from everyday people posting what they know on the Internet.
Check facts and the truth behind what you find on the Internet to further increase your knowledge on a subject. Keep in mind that what you find online is not always true, but with the Internet you can check many sources of knowledge to find the most accurate source.
Join discussion forums or writing websites to share the knowledge you acquire online. You can help others learn while at the same time learning from them.
How to Be Knowledgeable In All Thing
When you think of someone who is knowledgeable, you might picture a professor who wears cardigans and glasses. While professors are generally considered knowledgeable, there are many people who fit the description. Being knowledgeable means you have or show knowledge. People who are knowledgeable use facts, information or skills on a regular basis.Below are step to follow
Learn on a daily basis. Every fact or skill you learn adds to your knowledge. You can learn tips on how to cook from someone making dinner, or you can master a computer game that you play in your spare time. Make a point to learn something new as often as possible and then apply what you learned as soon as possible.
Pick an area of study. Most knowledgeable people work to gain knowledge in a specific area like English, history or computers. Find something that interests you and then research the topic. If possible, take classes or attend seminars. Another way you gain knowledge is by finding a mentor who can teach you.
Share your knowledge. You can be the smartest person in the world, but if no one knows you have knowledge, it won't matter. You have to show your knowledge by teaching others, writing papers, hosting seminars or participating in events like Knowledge Bowls.
Look for different experiences. This may mean you have to get outside your comfort zone. Each experience can teach you something and provide you with information that connects to things you've already learned. A new experience can help you look at an old experience in a new way and lead to a new discovery.
Ask questions. Make sure that you fully understand what you are learning. When you ask questions, listen to the answer. Allow yourself time to assimilate the new information. Continue to ask questions until you fully grasp the concept
Use different sources. You can become knowledgeable by learning from people, reading books or surfing the web. Experimenting can lead to new insight as can observation.
Learn on a daily basis. Every fact or skill you learn adds to your knowledge. You can learn tips on how to cook from someone making dinner, or you can master a computer game that you play in your spare time. Make a point to learn something new as often as possible and then apply what you learned as soon as possible.
Pick an area of study. Most knowledgeable people work to gain knowledge in a specific area like English, history or computers. Find something that interests you and then research the topic. If possible, take classes or attend seminars. Another way you gain knowledge is by finding a mentor who can teach you.
Share your knowledge. You can be the smartest person in the world, but if no one knows you have knowledge, it won't matter. You have to show your knowledge by teaching others, writing papers, hosting seminars or participating in events like Knowledge Bowls.
Look for different experiences. This may mean you have to get outside your comfort zone. Each experience can teach you something and provide you with information that connects to things you've already learned. A new experience can help you look at an old experience in a new way and lead to a new discovery.
Ask questions. Make sure that you fully understand what you are learning. When you ask questions, listen to the answer. Allow yourself time to assimilate the new information. Continue to ask questions until you fully grasp the concept
Use different sources. You can become knowledgeable by learning from people, reading books or surfing the web. Experimenting can lead to new insight as can observation.
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