Leaning to maximise our cognitive potential

We all differ in our abilities to solve problems, learn, think rationally, acquire new knowledge and integrate existing and new ideas.

But you can improve your ability to function at your cognitive best in all areas of your life — you can significantly improve how you think — given the right tools, methods and mental models.

Intelligence is always work in progress.

Andrea Kuszewski, a Cog scientist, behaviour therapist, science writer, artist says intelligence is, “…about being able to approach a new problem, recognize its important components, and solve it — then take that knowledge gained and put it towards solving the next, more complex problem.”

The good news is, you don’t have to learn everything in hours, days or even months. The focus should always be on progress.

Getting smarter takes genuine commitment. You need to work hard at it. Knowledge builds up, like compound interest says Warren Buffett.

If you value intelligence, some of these skills can help you improve your capacity to learn new information, retain it, then use that new knowledge to solve your next problem, or learn the next new skill, and so on.

The ability to challenge received knowledge

The smartest people never stop challenging received wisdom, no matter how many years they’ve been passed down from history. They don’t stop questioning the obvious.

“Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” Albert Einstein said that.

#future of work #cognitive potential #intelligent #skills #artificial intelligence