Do you like to learn? Maybe you read books, listen to podcasts, or watch educational videos. I do! The problem was that, for a long time, I didn’t do anything with what I learned. The knowledge sat, stagnant, until it was forgotten. There was no applied knowledge! I realized that I didn’t have a process for applying what I learned.
If you, too, want to discover how to apply what you learned in 5 simple steps, your wish has been granted!
What is Applied Knowledge?
You know what applied knowledge is – it’s right there in the name. Still, if you need a firm definition, it’s this: information used in action. See, applied knowledge doesn’t just sit in your head. It gets put to work.
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I recently finished reading SYSTEMology: Create time, reduce errors and scale your profits with proven business systems by David Jenyns. If I just read the book, returned it to the library, and moved on to the next book, what have I achieved? A book can be added to my list of finished ones? Wohoo.
Instead of forgetting about the book and moving on, I take what I learned and find a way to use that information. The book was centered around building systems for teams. I do not yet require a team, so you could say the book was useless for me. But, it wasn’t. I took notes, and with those notes, I can figure out a way for it to inspire my situation. I can build systems before I find the people to run them. Plus, I can use it to help clients with teams.
How? Let’s look at the A.P.P.L.Y. Framework.
The 5-Step Process to Applied Knowledge
The A.P.P.L.Y. Framework is an easy-to-remember process for knowledge application. If you use this method for applying knowledge, you will find yourself reaching new heights in life and business! The process starts with A: analyze.
A is for Analyze
The first step of the process starts with digging into all of your notes on the book you just read, the podcast you listened to, or the like. If you aren’t a note-taker, here’s your pre-process tip: be a note-taker. Your notes should include anything that stuck out to you, plus any headings or main ideas that seemed important.
Ask these questions to help beef up your notes:
- What was the main idea?
- What are the key concepts, facts, or quotes?
- What problems or needs does this learning address?
These questions could be asked after reading each book chapter or just at the end of a podcast episode. If your notes can’t answer these questions, it may be a hint to go over the information again.
Analysis includes organizing your notes and then creating categories that encapsulate related information. Sometimes you will find common themes throughout your notes; other times you won’t. For instance, my notes on the previously mentioned book SYSTEMology didn’t develop any categories, so my notes were organized chronologically.
Organize and/ or categorize your notes in a way that makes sense to you. After all, you will be the one who uses them!
P is for Personalize
Next in the A.P.P.L.Y. Framework is personalize. Review your newly organized notes and see if any points apply to you personally or professionally. As interesting as the information may have been, if it isn’t relevant to you, it won’t be of much help at the present moment. If that is the case, remember you can always keep your notes stored away until a time you are experiencing something that requires that knowledge.
To connect the knowledge to you on a personal level, consider these questions:
- Does this connect to anything you’re currently working on or struggling with?
- What insight speaks to your personal or professional journey?
- Is there a mindset shift needed?
While the first two questions are simple to answer, the third question might need a deeper dive into mindsets. If you’re interested in learning about the impact of your mindset, consider reading Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck. This is one of my favorite books and explains how mindsets can completely alter lives.
Again, I may earn from qualifying Amazon purchases, but I encourage you to try to find this book in your local bookstore first!
Asking yourself if you need a mindset change is a difficult question. You must know what you believe before you decide if you need to change it! That’s what makes this part of personalization so challenging. Let’s consider an example. Do you believe that you can achieve big goals? If you think you can’t, then you may need to think about all of the big things you’ve accomplished in the past. That may inspire a mindset change!
Ask yourself, what would I need to believe to be able to fully apply this learning?
P is for Plan
Get excited, planners! Our time has come! In the Plan portion of the A.P.P.L.Y. Framework, it’s time to figure out how to plug the new knowledge into your schedule.
You analyzed the information and personalized it. Now, choose ONE THING (based on The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan) to add to your schedule that will implement the new knowledge. If the information you learned has 10 new things to start, I recommend you don’t do all 10 at once. Focus on adding just one.
You can plan to add another item later, but for now, start with one. I also recommend physically writing it down in your planner. If you do a digital planner, that’s fine, too. But for me, personally, I love the feeling of finality when I write something in my planner. (Full disclosure, that doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to get done, but it does feel like it should!)
Applied knowledge can only be given an action if you know what you’re going to do with it. So, be clear in your planning and be prepared to live it out.
L is for Live It!
That brings us to the fourth element of the framework, Live It! I know, planning is super fun, but it isn’t always so fun when it’s time to actually do the things you said you were going to do. But, applied knowledge isn’t applied if you stop at plan. You have to actually take action! Follow your planner for this one thing today, even if it’s all you get done!
Okay, maybe not if it’s all you get done. You should probably do your work and take care of yourself. But I highly encourage you to do the actionable part of your plan.
- Apply it to a client situation, a business system, or a daily habit.
- Journal the outcome or track progress.
- Be okay with experimenting and tweaking.
My favorite part of this section is tracking progress. It makes you feel good to see your progress moving forward. So, do the work so you can advance to the final step!
Y is for Yield
After you’ve done the application part of your knowledge application, you have to think about the word yield. You might be thinking, What do you mean by that?
The word yield has a few different definitions. One is to produce or provide. To deliver a result. Another is to surrender – wave the white flag. It can also mean to profit. And each of these definitions plays a role in YIELD.
You have to evaluate the results and reflect on the fruit of your action. What result was delivered? Do you need to surrender and let this idea go? Or, will you profit from following through? Examining these questions helps you understand how to move forward.
So, remember, when you yield, consider these things:
- What changed? What worked? What didn’t?
- How did it impact your mindset, relationships, business, or beliefs?
- Do you need to repeat, refine, or release this idea?
Just because you attempted to add actionable knowledge to your life doesn’t mean it will work for you. Something that worked for someone else doesn’t always work for you. I know that’s been true for me! That’s why we must use yield wisely. It might take some adjusting to fit your needs, or maybe you’ll have to let it go completely. The key is: do what works for you!
Does Applied Knowledge Make A Difference?
There is a significant difference between reading and forgetting and reading and applying books. You could go on as you have before, tossing the book aside and moving on to the next conglomeration of words. Or, you could start to use applied knowledge in your everyday life. You might be surprised at the difference in your life!
If the A.P.P.L.Y Framework has made a difference in your life, please shoot me an email at [email protected] to let me know! I’d appreciate tracking the value as I can! Or, you could even check out my coaching packages if you’d like to set up a time to talk!