MyESLCentral Blog

Knowledge is power. Perhaps you’ve heard this before - but have you understood it?

The first step in acquiring knowledge is to acknowledge when you don’t know. Don’t be afraid to say, “I’m not sure,” or, “I wonder … ” and then find the answer!

Second, begin searching for that answer. Gaining a formal education brings with it the opportunity to talk with like-minded people, those who yearn for more - those who enjoy discussing what they don’t know as much as what they do know. And, in formal education you will find a place where asking questions is encouraged rather than discouraged.

Third, become a critical thinker. Marvin D. Loflin, President of LearningU, says one must ask, “How do you know?” and, “What does it mean?” Being able to look at any situation or statement from different perspectives is an important skill to have. Analyzing what someone says, understanding why they said it, and learning how what they have to say, may or may not say, applies to a conversation and is an important skill to have in any career. It is also important to learn to think for yourself.

And fourth, you are never too old to learn. Gaining knowledge is a life-long pursuit. It doesn’t end at high school graduation, college graduation, or upon getting that dream job. There is power in this recognition. The more you learn, the more you know, and the more you know, the more you grow.