One of the greatest elements of personal impact and success is the importance of developing your mind.
But how do you do it?
In my two part series, I'll give a total of 10 key ideas to enhance your thinking as you build your mind and learn to think like Einstein.
Here we go!
1. Redefine your understanding of “knowledge.” Knowledge is not what you happen to remember, true knowledge is that which you will never forget. Here's my point: This is an area where so many people make mistakes... They assume they know more than they actually do. But, truth told, they cannot command their knowledge and their memory of specifics (facts, details, comprehensive understandings of things, how these things relate to other areas of knowledge, etc.) is actually quite shallow. Let's face it, if you don't remember it, you don't know it. So don't over-estimate your knowledge. Adopt a higher standard of what true knowledge is.
2. Identify the major or primary areas of knowledge you want to build. You can't know everything. You can and should, in time, develop broad understandings of multiple areas-- but you won't be equally interested in everything. So identify a subject/subjects, and begin to drive deeper.
3. Identify the best, most reliable sources for mastering the big picture of your topics/areas. In other words, you need to begin studying a subject by learning about it "as a whole" and not piecemeal in small bits. It's hard to understand a subject if you start by trying to understand one tiny piece of the subject then try to go broader. Instead, start by trying to develop a truly comprehensive, general understanding of the subject.
4. Start with secondary Christian sources if/when possible (of large general areas). Some won't agree with this- so they can write their own blog. I understand that perspective, but generally disagree. From a Christian perspective, after one understands the big picture and broad understanding of something (astronomy or civlization or evolution or higher criticism), I think 'most' could benefit from reading about that broad subject from a Christian perspective-- not so they can be indoctrinated, but because a Christian perspective will at least give them some perspectives and hot button issues of which to be aware. Without this, I've seen lots of Christians lose their way because they stumble into dangers unawares, simply because their minds haven't been properly trained to think critically and biblically just yet.
5. Then move to secondary “secular” sources of those large general areas. Now is the time to move into the deep. Now that you have a general understanding of the topic-- and at least some biblical-Christian perspective, you're ready to learn about the topic from other perspectives. Keep your head on straight and go for it.
OK, so that's a start... tune in next post for part 2 of this two-part series.
