5 Easy Steps for Gaining New Knowledge Weekly by @icpublishing

by Sheri Andrunyk

Here are five easy steps for gaining new knowledge weekly, better yet daily: Scan, Filter, Trust, Select and Read. In fact, depending on your process, you might combine a couple of these steps. One of the benefits I love about my lifelong studies, in NLP and psychology, is that I recognize processes quite quickly now, both my own and others.

I often hear others saying how overwhelmed they are with technology, social media, and even the abundance of opportunities available to them these days. Don’t get me wrong. I have had my moments of feeling this way as well; I’ve just trained myself to shift gears into a productive, resourceful state much more efficiently and effortlessly than I used to. This way I can just get to the task at hand, gathering information, sorting through what I can work with, and then moving right into action.

The reason this process is forefront is that I’ve been scheduling in a little more time on my social media plan recently, specifically around the topic of social media engagement. With this focus I noticed I was able to pick up on some very useful blog posts and websites in short order—not only by Googling, but by merely scanning my newsfeeds more purposefully. Yes, I came across other great posts of interest to me as well; that was bonus.

So, assuming you’re like me and you’re on several different social medial platforms, such as Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, and perhaps Google+ (etc.), I think you will find these steps extremely useful. Some steps might even seem to happen at the same time, and quite synergistically. Practice them and they will become second nature:

1 – Scan
Scan your newsfeeds as you normally would, to see what others are saying/doing and who you want to support with your liking, commenting and sharing. Also scan for key content that speaks to you, areas that you are learning and growing in, as well as posts that reinforce you/your company’s message. Once you come across that info, specifically if it requires more time or attention than you can give it for the moment, still take a minute to scan the article to see if it’s what you are looking for.

2 – Filter
Filter, prioritize, and bookmark those articles you would like to delve into further. Sometimes I will copy the link and email it to myself, or share it on my newsfeed for easy reference later. Or if it’s a fairly quick read and easy to digest, I might simply keep the site open in my browser, and as I wrap up my work day I will take another look.

3 – Trust
Trust yourself to have a good sense of what resonates and will be helpful to you. There is so much available to us at any given time, there’s no need to vacillate much, if at all.

4 – Select
Make your selections. You will probably recognize this as part of any decision-making process, which we all know is of critical importance—trust, choose (make the decision), and take action. And you can always choose again too.

5 – Read (& Make Notes if applicable)
Read the info you have collected (listen if an audio resource). Make notes in your daily agenda and/or calendar for additional follow-up, new connections you’d like to make, or content you’d like to blog/write about to help your audience.

Set yourself up for success by doing this weekly to start, unless your schedule allows for you to do this more frequently. Schedule the time in. Even 15 to 30 minutes will do the trick if you know what your process is and what you are looking for. Before you know it you will have gained much more clarity and insight on topics of substantial value to you, and you will have more to share.

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Sheri Andrunyk is Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Inspiring Speaker, Holistic Business and Life Coach, Author and Publisher. Her specialty is working with small business owners and entrepreneurs.

She has a passion for all forms of meaningful communication, and has expertise in providing invaluable guidance to her clients, colleagues, and community.

Sheri’s newest book “Working from Home and Making it Work” discusses time and choice management, work/life balance and shares powerful insights on how we can become better self-managers, an essential component to success.

For more information and to download a free chapter, please visit www.InsightfulCommunications.ca.

Melissa Stewart

Melissa Stewart is the founder of SheOwnsIt.com. She is a Purveyor of Possibility, Entrepreneur Advocate and Coffee Addict. She believes that behind every successful woman is her story. What’s your story?