Oftentimes, I hear thought leaders, business leaders and others make statements like, 'The more we learn, the more we earn', and it gets me thinking because I do know that there is a difference between the art of learning and the acquisition of knowledge, which is about the first call of the learning process.
The acquisition of knowledge is the first step or foundation of the learning process. We cannot activate learning unless we first get exposed to some knowledge or information.
There is a difference between acquiring knowledge either by reading, listening or by simple observation and the rigorous art of learning, just as there is difference between knowledge and information. Let me break this down a little more for comprehension.
When we read, listen to and observe things in our environment, the general name we put to these activities is learning, but the truth is that real learning goes beyond just reading, listening and observing.
For real learning to happen, the knowledge acquired has to be applied consistently in the process of execution. It is impossible to achieve learning without deliberately using execution to achieve specific outcomes or objectives.
The major outcome of learning is change. In other words, the dividend of learning is change. And for change to happen, we must embrace discomfort. We have to be ready to go out of our way to do the extra. Real value happens at the extra mile.
When we encounter specific knowledge the first time, if it is a concept we are interested in, we have to probe into it. We have to meditate on it; and we have to begin to work towards manifesting it. This is an intentional and deliberate endeavour or initiative.
This happens through application and that is how we own the knowledge. Such knowledge then becomes our wisdom. Then it becomes power because it has been put to use for the purpose of improving lives and processes; for the benefit of others.
Unless knowledge is put to use for the purpose of making lives better for others, we cannot say that such knowledge is power. Knowledge is power only when people have been empowered by it through the process of execution.
Often, when we encounter new knowledge or new information, one reason that we forget it soon afterwards is that we do not use it. So, we forget it; and one big problem with many of us is that we acquire knowledge that we hardly ever use. Knowledge acquired for the sake of it is acquired without specific purpose. And that is counter-intuitive.
Talking about knowledge and information, there is a difference between both concepts. While knowledge is a broader concept or a fusion of many ideas, information is more specific. It is the data, the specific insights, and the nuggets that we glean from knowledge. From knowledge we extract information. Pieces of information are extracted from knowledge. It is extremely important for us to understand this rare distinction.
To the subject of how learning increases earnings, we have already given an insight. When we encounter knowledge, we are not accounted knowledgeable until we direct such knowledge towards specific endeavours. Our minds have to get informed first by engaging with the knowledge through extracting those keys that resonate with us.
We can read, listen or observe a myriad of or an array of knowledge but until something resonates with us from it, until it touches something within us, until it gets us thinking and takes us to the place of imagination and curiosity, we cannot make meaning of it.
If the knowledge we encounter does not take us the place of creativity and lead us to innovate, we cannot earn from it. It has to push us to activate execution. It has to move us to the creation of value for others to benefit from it. We have to use it to solve problems.
What does this mean? Creativity is mere ideation. Ideas are good but until we are able to put ideas to use, until we are able to make the unseen [ideas] seen, we cannot earn from them. Again, whatever idea we are trying to make known or seen must have relevance.
We are able to show the relevance of any idea if it solves the problems of others; if it meets with the needs of others; if others are able to benefit from it. Such an idea has to be made into a product/service. That is when innovation happens. This innovation has to be of good quality service to others.
Between creativity and innovation, there is a wide gap of activities known as execution. No idea amounts to anything without the execution of same. This process is not an easy one. Innovation is tied to commitment, sacrifice, discipline, diligence, consistency, collaboration and more. These values are the virtues that lead to earnings and the more we engage with them and replicate them, the more we earn.
A fusion of good values practised over a period of time lead to specific mission to specific persons. Our mission to a specific group of persons is the value we deliver to them. This is the only way for us to achieve our own personal vision. The path to the attainment of our life's goal is through service. In order to achieve this, we have to observe, acquire knowledge, engage with this knowledge, study and work at execution for the benefit of others.
When people see the relevance of this till they are able to pay for it, it means the brain, the heart and the wallet have come into agreement. This is how we earn, but the process starts with observation for the core purpose of getting acquainted with certain knowledge.
