Do you continue to apply knowledge gained?

One of the benefits that makes my programs unique is that my participants do continue to apply most of the knowledge that they gain, there are many reasons for this that I will discuss below. But first I want to establish why some people are highly teachable and others not. A few factors do come to mind that is obvious. It is suggested it has to do with age, personality type and determination or discipline, values or even the purpose of the learning material. But I am here to tell you that it is not the whole truth. Those elements do influence learning, but it is not what makes people teachable. I discovered the answer when investigating the personal value of humility.

I investigated it because I was feeling guilty for not always being completely selfless (which no one is by the way). And then I discovered that being humble does not mean you think less of yourself than anyone else. In fact, humility is the willingness and openness to learn from others. This is how I am capable of learning and finding value in the most “fluffiest stuff”, outrageous or mundane things. Everything and everyone can teach us something if we are willing and open to hear, see or talk about it, it ties in with a brutal honesty with yourself. If it hurts you, you are meant to learn from it. To learn you need to get out of your comfort zone and be open minded. Learning is how we grow. It is liberating to allow yourself to push past pain into growth.

How do you continue to apply the knowledge that you gain?

1. Have a strong motivation as to why it is important for you to continue to apply that piece of knowledge. – in the case of my programs it would be potential success, self-preservation and exhilaration that people gain from applying the soft skills in the program. The benefits to the individual are what makes them continue applying the knowledge gained.

2. If you like and follow rules easily, you can make the new knowledge your rules.

3. Practice, practice, practice, this forms routines and makes the application feel like second nature. (can also call it Repetition, Repetition, Repetition)

4. You can use rewards and punishment to kick-start the application of knowledge process… but take note, this is a short-term tool.

5. Use reminders, declarations and positive thinking that helps you to implement knowledge as a part of who you are. E.g. I tell myself I understand people so well that I can almost read their minds- then people tell me I am inspirational and they like or appreciate me (that is proof to me that what I believe of myself and how I continue to apply my people skills has become a big part of who I am). I am a master at reading people, I’m not bragging, it is just how I choose to see myself.

Why don’t people always continue to apply new knowledge gained?

1. Life gets difficult, applying new knowledge feels like a lot of effort and negative thinking could lead to self-pity or giving up.

2. Destination addiction- people love thrilling things and repeating certain things can become boring and feel old.

3. People often in a busy lifestyle have so many other things to also learn and do and remember that the new knowledge gained is hopefully stored for future use, since it is maybe not a real priority at the time – and unfortunately by the time people are ready to start applying the knowledge they have forgotten what they have learned.

The word Ameliorate is an English verb and it means the act of making something better, or the act of improvement. Therefore, I love ending off my articles with the following words and in this case, it really has a bigger meaning. Keep Improving.

As Always, Keep Improving

The Ameliorate Team

#knowledge; #learning; #application; #Change; #Selfdevelopment