This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
How to elevate your learning and tap into mastery
Someone once told me they were a jack of all trades. At the time, I thought it was valuable to know a bit of everything, but I could also name at least three things this person was really good at and could become better at (reaching potential mastery) if they invested more focus time into them.
That’s the thing: we often don’t become more educated on one thing, and if we do, it’s still only surface knowledge. Most never experience extensive knowledge, mastery, or above-average expertise in any subject.
Hence, our conversations, knowledge, and execution are often suboptimal. For example, most doctors are good or average at their jobs; few are exceptional or legendary.
If you want to understand a subject thoroughly, push for deeper learning.
The Danger Of Skimming And Scanning.
In schools, we’re taught to skim and scan our textbooks to prepare for exams and pop quizzes and complete our homework assignments. Consequently, we memorize a bunch of random facts instead of learning the purpose and reasoning behind the facts.
We graduate, but we retain almost nothing of what we learned. Why? We didn’t invest time into a deep understanding of the topics we covered in school.
We only scratched the surface.
How can you cultivate an in-depth understanding of a subject if your studies are shallow? Yet, this is what so many of us do. We do it in school (learning about subjects), we do it in our relationships (learning about others), and we do it with ourselves (introspective reflection).
Scratching the surface of knowledge will never bring genuine enlightenment, wisdom, masterful expertise, and deep understanding.
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Books: Stay On A Section Until Your Mind Is Ready To Progress.
When you read a book and find a topic within it intriguing, pause and reflect on it. Instead of moving forward in the book, stay on the particular section until you comprehend it at your max ability.
I’ve enjoyed reading throughout my life. In some books, I’m able to grasp the subject right away, while in other books, I stay in the same section until further notice.
I do this because the reading is so impactful I need to continue studying and submerging my mind in the excerpt. OR I need to invest more time into comprehending the ideas conveyed. Either way, I have habitually practiced re-reading educational materials and books to ensure I master or develop a deeper understanding of the topic.
Don’t be too skeptical about re-reading a book – especially if you can’t name anything you learned from the book after reading it the first time.
Learning Is A Muscle: Muscles Need Consistent Workouts.
Some information we will not retain forever. Just as we need to train our muscles to preserve their strength, size, and tone, we must continually train and refresh our minds. When we don’t, our minds become dull.
Practice continual deep learning to tap into your higher intelligence.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.