Illusion of Competence, Life-long Learning and broadening your Passions

What is the illusion of competence?

Sounds interesting right? It is.

It's a state of mind where you tell yourself that you have 'learned' the material by browsing through the pages, underlying or highlighting key concepts and making small notes at the sides of the pages without actually memorizing or working on any related exercises. I was rather adept at this... This usually does not yield much results after the date or time that the supposed learning occurs.

Now, how is this fixed?

A couple of helpful steps to actually learn:

1. Practice makes permanent: the more you practice, the more what you learn is made permanently ingrained in memory. However, spaced repetition and practice are best, so as to give the brain time to store the new material.
2. Recalling: this involves bringing to mind at a later date and time, previously acquired knowledge. This helps to build a connection between all the concepts that are learnt. Recalling material outside the usual study area is best...I usually try to recall while out on a walk...to allow the diffused mode to function.

The concept of life-long learning is basically about the fact that learning continues throughout life and never ends. I am learning to use the knowledge I gain here in my everyday life. I use a planner and visual idea to remember items on my shopping list, I'm learning to reward myself whenever I accomplish a particularly difficult time, exercise as part of resting the brain and gain confidence in the new systems I create.

So, for me learning new skills in accounting and business (which are far from my innate talents) is possible because I have decided to broaden my passions and not believe that I'm better-off sticking to what I do best. 

Keep learning and be happy while you're at it...