The 7 Lies about Learning by Jim Kwik
In his book Limitless, Jim Kwik (The Brain Coach), teaches us about the incredible power of our strongest weapon i.e. OUR BRAIN. He teaches us how to overcome the limitations we have set on ourselves and make use of our BRAIN to the fullest potential. In this post, we shall discuss 7 lies that stops or hinders our learning process.
Lie Number 1
Intelligence is fixed
Carol Dweck, a professor of psychology at Stanford the university describes the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.
In a fixed mindset, people believe that their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount of it and that’s that, and then their goal becomes to look smart all the time and never look dumb. But, In a growth mindset, people understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching, and persistence. They don’t necessarily think that everyone’s the same or anyone can be Einstein, but they believe everyone can get smarter if they work at it.
Most of us have carried on thinking the way our family did, without even knowing it. As subtle as this is, the adoption of one or the other deeply affects the way we approach life. With a fixed mindset, things are the way they are but with a growth mindset, we take the responsibility for improving our mindset.
If we believe that we don’t have the capacity to learn, we make excuses, we blame other people or circumstances, and then we distract ourselves with things that make us feel good.
David Shenk states in his book, the genius in all of us, that everyone has the potential for genius, or at the very least, greatness. But the reason we prefer to believe the idea that we are a genius or we are not, because it relieves us from the responsibility of taking control of our own life. Thinking of talent as innate makes our world more manageable, more comfortable. It relieves a person from the burden of expectations. But the truth is intelligence is malleable but dependent on your ability to cultivate a growth mindset.
So, here's the truth: Intelligence is fluid
Lie Number 2
We only use 10% of our Brain
We all have heard this myth, from a friend or school or tv or a movie. This myth is usually used in the context of highlighting longed for possibilities: If only we could access the rest of our brains, what could we accomplish? And needless to say, this myth is pervasive and not true. We have always been using 100% of our brains. Barry Beyerstein, a professor of psychology at Simon Fraser University in Britsh Columbia, describes some of the major scientific discoveries that refute this myth :
1. Studies of damaged brains show that there is no single area of the brain that can sustain damage without a loss of ability, contrary to earlier theories. Brain scans have shown that all brain areas are active, no matter what the activity. Even while we sleep, all parts of our brains show activity.
2. Our brains are energy-hogs. The brain takes up only 2% of space by weight, and yet accounts for 20% of energy consumption, more than any other organ. We wouldn’t need such an incredible amount of energy for an organ which functions for 40% or less.
3. Scientists have also determined that the brain’s regions have distinct functions that work together. After extensively mapping the brain over the decades, they’ve concluded that there are no functionless areas of the brain.
4. The brain uses a process called synaptic pruning. If we didn’t use a large portion of our brains, we would expect to see large areas of degeneration ( we don’t unless brain diseases are present).
To sum up, this myth just isn’t true.
Lie Number 3
Mistakes are failures
Einstein is considered one of the most genius people to ever lived on earth. But do you know, Einstein made simple mathematical mistakes that appeared in some of his most important works. His numerous mistakes include seven major gaffes on each version of his theory of relativity, mistakes in clock synchronization related to his experiments, and many mistakes in the math and physics calculations used to determine the viscosity of liquids.
Was Einstein considered a failure for his mistakes? Hardly anyone knows that he ever made mistakes. He never let his mistakes stop him. He once said, “A person who never made mistake never tried anything new.”
Unfortunately in today’s society, mistakes are considered as tools for learning; they are used as a way of measuring one’s capabilities. Too many of us don’t come close to our capacities because we are too afraid of making a mistake. Instead of looking at mistakes as proof of failure, take them as proof that you are trying.
Lie Number 4
Knowledge is power
We have all heard the phrase “ knowledge is power.” Even this was the motto of our school. This phrase is used usually as a reason for learning as if knowledge alone will give us power. But, knowledge is important, but it is “ the performing of some action” that is required to make it powerful. This is where most of us fail. We are so deluged in information on a daily basis that we don’t take action on it. Knowledge is not power. It only has the potential to be power. You can read many books or watch many youtube videos or listen to many podcasts but if you are not taking action on it, it is useless.
Here's the truth: Knowledge X Action = Power
Lie Number 5
Learning new things is very difficult
Learning won’t always be easy, but the effort pays dividends. In fact, learning should at least be a little uncomfortable; otherwise, you’re mostly reinforcing what you already know. Lacking motivation or having inadequate methods will slow you down and make you feel as if learning is too hard.
The key is taking small, simple steps. Learning anything will require you to cultivate patience, to have a positive attitude, and to be adaptive to your own needs. You must be patient to consistently come back at it again and again. when you do, you will not only reap the rewards of your hard-earned knowledge, but you’ll be a better person for having cultivated the tenacity to keep trying.
sometimes it is hard to learn new things. What’s more accurate is to understand that learning is a set of methods, a process that can certainly be easier when you know how to learn.
Here's the truth: When you learn new ways how to learn, the challenge of learning new things can be fun, easier, and more enjoyable.
Lie Number 6
Once the author asked Jim Carrey why does he do a little bit extra on camera?
And Jim Carrey replied, ” I act that way because I want to give the people who are watching permission to be themselves. The biggest travesty in the world is people preventing and limiting themselves from expressing who they really are because they are afraid of what other people think. The fastest learners in the world are children and that’s partly because they don’t care what others think of them. They have no shame about failing. But as we grow older, we have a hard time staying this open. We might take a singing lesson, or maybe a coding class, and if we hit a flat not or make a mistake as we learn, we shrink or stop.
Part of being limitless is learning to let go of the fear of criticism.
Creating the life you want can be scary. But you know, what’s scarier? Regret. One day we will be taking our final breaths and not one of the other people’s opinions or your fears will matter. You will never know your true potential until you break the unfair judgment you place on yourself. Don’t allow other people’s opinions and expectations to run or ruin your life.
Here's the truth: Other people's opinions don't matter
Lie Number 7
Genius is Born
In the talent code, author Daniel Coyle delves into whether talent is innate or whether it can be developed. He argues “ greatness isn’t born, it’s grown.” Through deep practice, ignition, and master coaching, anyone can develop talent so deep that it looks like a genius.
Genius leaves clues. There is always a method behind what looks like magic.
Here's the truth: A Genius is not born; he is grown, through deep practice.
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