Learning by WritingI have always been a proponent of learning by doing. The act of experimenting, testing assumptions, failing, and getting back up again is…
I have always been a proponent of learning by doing. The act of experimenting, testing assumptions, failing, and getting back up again is valuable for developing your personal and professional abilities.
I think that learning is one of the world’s most valuable skills. It’s cliche — but truly — “learning to learn” is something that is quite powerful. In a world changing so quickly, with new technology and chaotic times, the ability to learn and adapt will be one of the only things that separates us.
I think that the best learners do not just understand how to digest information from one channel. They do not just read books. They do not just sit in the classroom listening to lectures.
No.
They have a toolbox of channels to help them learn.
One channel, not so often explored, is learning by writing.
I think that society places this burden on writing that makes it so “only experts should write about their domain. Amateurs should not contribute to it.”
I think this logic is backwards.
Sure if you are publishing on the front page of the NYT, then it makes sense to have qualified, “experts.” But who gets hurt if I’m just writing articles to hone my craft and exercise my mind?
No one.
And…somehow…people still may find value in what I have to say! It is up to them to decide.
The cool part is that learning by writing is free. Anyone can do it who has internet access. All you need is a prompt: “What does the future of autonomous vehicles look like?”
From there, turn to google, quora, twitter, etc. until you can curate and really understand the space. This part takes a while, especially if you are unfamiliar with the subject, but, eventually, you start to really understand the industry/subject you are diving into!
It really is quite a magical transformation.
The internet gives you power. The power to learn almost anything.
Writing is one vehicle to unleash and hone that power so you can convey your ideas.
Originally published at gonen.blog.
By jordangonen on August 8, 2017.
Exported from Medium on February 17, 2018.