It is not what you know, it is how you learn

‘’Mistakes are not just opportunities for learning; they are, in an important sense, the only opportunity for learning or making something truly new.’’ Daniel Dennett 

The proposition ''It is not what you know, it is how you learn'' has two arguments in one: 

• What you know should be less of a focus point for one’s development 
• How you learn should be more of a focus point for one’s development 

Why? Because, with the current speed of knowledge creation in our society, what you know will more likely be obsolete in the very near future and you will have to learn new things on that matter, in fact you will even have to unlearn what you know. This underlines the importance of continuous learning. This is like losing weight though. Everybody knows what needs to be done but very few can do it. Everybody knows the importance of continuous learning. But only the ones who have discovered how they learn can do that. This is because how you learn is very unique to you and it can even change over time. Thus focusing on it makes more impact on your life. 

Learning is such a deep subject. There are many books, studies and articles about learning and especially life long learning. There are even books about books about learning. So will I ever be able to say something so different that we will all be enlightened like we have never been before? I will not. 

I will talk more about myself though and my answer on ''how do I learn?'' question: 

1- I learn by teaching and lecturing what I know. 

There are many studies that demonstrate the learning by teaching effect. There is even a latin phrase for it: Doscendo discimus (by teaching we learn). 

Doscendo discimus (by teaching we learn) - Seneca 

It is quite intuitive, I would say. But why? Because by teaching you complete virtuous circle of learning, unlearning, relearning. So in my opinion, by teaching more than reminding you what you know, you realize what you need to unlearn and relearn. And this is how you stay up-to-date. 

2- I learn by making mistakes and observing the mistakes that were made by others.  

I know this is one of the most common stereotypes ever. ‘’Learn from your mistakes’’. How on earth can you do that? Will you a have a black book that you record every time you make a mistake? Will you develop a mistake-o-meter and measure? Will you write ‘’I will not do that mistake again’’ 200 times? What I have experienced is that once you make a mistake and acknowledge that it was a mistake, the conscious part of the learning process is completed. The key point here is not to be afraid of making a mistake. That is the catch. And on top, if you can be good enough to observe the mistakes made by other people then you are really set for success. 

To conclude, in your learning journey always try to look for ''inspiration'' and courage'' 

Here is an article from www.brainpickings.org, featuring Daniel Dennett on the art and science of making mistakes. This is a blog that I frequently visit for inspiration. 

‘’Mistakes are not just opportunities for learning; they are, in an important sense, the only opportunity for learning or making something truly new.’’ Danel Dennett 

In short, the learning I noted down in my 18th year as a corporate citizen was: 

You don't need to chase the knowledge or perfection to really learn. Instead follow the people, events, stories that give you inspiration, courage and excitement. During this journey you will achieve the learning you are after.