"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."
James 1:22-25
Most people are educated way beyond their level of effectiveness. They know a lot but do little. Our level of effectiveness, however, is about something other than knowing more; it's about doing more until we reach the ultimate goal of transformation.
"Don't let your learning lead to knowledge. Let your learning lead to action."
~Jim Rohn
Our future transforms when we take what we learn and live it out. Many people consume vast knowledge but have nothing to show for it. Don't let this be your experience. Make sure your learning is leading to action.
Consider, for example, how long-time believers are exposed to hundreds of messages, yet their effectivity varies. Some take valuable weekly resources through sermons, talks, Bible studies, etc. but are not continuously transformed. In contrast, others show significant progress in their growth because they act on what they learn.
So, how will you live out what you learn about? Here are 3 tips that have helped me move into action:
1. Write It Down
An old saying says, "It's not real until it's written." Our learning operates in a similar pattern. There is something powerful and memorable about untangling your thoughts by writing them down. I have a dedicated folder on my computer for each of the books I read through. As I read my chosen book for the day, I underline things that stand out to me and then transfer those markings into my computer folder. This system allows me to catalog the most meaningful ideas during my reading time and create a resource that I can go back to time and again.
However you want to do it, make sure you are writing down the things you are learning about. Many people will journal their ideas or write down a summary of what they just learned about. Whatever you do, make sure there is a transfer from reading/listening/watching, whatever resource you are taking in, to the written form.
2. Challenge Yourself
If you don't challenge yourself to do something with what you learn, you'll likely forget it. Turn your learning into a challenge for action. Remember, it's not just about knowledge; it's about action. So, at the end of your learning moment, ask yourself, "What will I do with what I just learned?" This question forces you to devise a creative way to practice something new, such as implementing a new mindset or adopting a new productivity tip, process, or perspective. Make sure you change your behavior based on what you learned.
3. Share It With Others
Our learning can't just be for us, especially as Christians. We must ensure we are passing on great ideas that help others. Not only will you potentially impact someone else, but sharing what you learn, will help you retain it. In fact, cognitive studies have shown that teaching others gives us a 90% retention rate. It's the most effective learning technique.
The more you share what you learn, the better your mind processes and understands it. Communicating your learnings to others forces you to wrap your mind around the concept, resulting in more efficient mental models that help you retain the information to eventually implement it.
As believers, we must teach and disciple those around us and share our testimony, resources, and ideas to expedite the process.
Have a blessed week,
Pastor (Rev. Elias Limones)
Commenti