Do These 5 Things to Gain Wisdom
Wisdom is abrasive to hardheads.
I called a businessperson for advice. He made some good points. But I wasn’t sure I wanted to take his advice. His suggestion felt awkward. Wisdom is like that.
The next day, I asked another businessperson for his thoughts on the same subject. He gave me the same advice I had received the day before.
Ignorance dies reluctantly.
Wisdom:
Sagacity is practical. IQ isn’t wisdom.
Results reveal wisdom. Insightful people know how to achieve their goals. Apply this view of wisdom to business, relationships, and quality of life. Wise people know how to get things done.
The most obvious indicator of wisdom is passion to gain it. Wise leaders have inquisitive minds, open hearts, and active hands.
5 ways to gain practical wisdom:
- Gain useful skills. We learn most when we do stuff. A person who can bake bread has useful wisdom. It takes wisdom to lead meetings, give feedback, and manage your schedule.
- Focus on who. Learn from skillful people every chance you get. Ask things like:
- Who has made a difference in your life? How?
- What matters?
- What are you learning?
- Set up calls with top-of-class people. Aim high. Show up to learn. After you hear responses, ask, “What brings that to mind?”
- Emulate others. Ask yourself, “What does this person do extremely well? How might I emulate them?”
- Reflect on the trajectory of your journey. Where are you going? Be brutal with yourself. Wisdom evaluates behaviors by their impact on the future.
Bonus: Figure out what isn’t working and stop doing it.
Will Durant said, “…science is organized knowledge, wisdom is organized life…”
What is essential to gaining wisdom?
Wisdom defined: https://www.oed.com/dictionary/wisdom_n#
The fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom. Build this foundation as primary.
Thanks, Dale. Solomon also said, “The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom.” We learn a lot from ancient wisdom literature.
I appreciate that gaining wisdom is listening and reflecting. Important traits for any leader, especially educational leaders who need to demonstrate these traits for our students.
Thanks, Philip. Listening to understand is an act of self-discipline for me – especially since I think I understand things before people explain them. 😉
What is essential to gaining wisdom? Time and patience. In a world where we are getting access to things instantly, we expect everything to happen NOW. Wisdom does not move faster just because our devices do. Be humble, be patient.
Also, thank you for teaching me a new word! ” Sagacity” – had to look that one up!
Thanks, urban. Sagacity and sage seem to be outdated. I used “sage” with a couple college kids and they were befuddled. Mark Twain uses it occasionally.
There is a difference between wisdom and knowledge. Modern tools make knowledge easy to access. As you indicate, wisdom isn’t found in a 10 second internet search or a 1 second answer from AI.
Agreed! Thanks Dan!
Also – this is SB from previous responses 🙂
Thanks for letting me know. I watch for the regulars. I appreciate your continued participation. Cheers.
“Intelligence is knowing that tomatoes are a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put them in your fruit salad.”
In other words, wisdom comes from experience, not book learning.
Love the expression “book learning.” Perhaps the word practice is useful as well. We practice wisdom. When we put knowledge into useful action we gain wisdom. Thanks for your contribution, Jennifer.
In my experience, wisdom can also come from keen observation and curious questions.
What do they say, Gayle. It’s better to learn from someone else’s experience. One area that’s helpful is learn from the failure of others. It doesn’t hurt as much. Learning from the failure of others is often learning what not to do. I wish you well.
Wisdom is the ability to diagnose the unique features of the situation and to choose words and actions that create the greatest positive impact.
You cause me to think about the wisdom’s ability to see what makes things work, to look behind the symptom for causes.