TFC #53: Learning More, Knowing Less

Have you ever noticed that the more you learn, the less you feel you know?

It sounds strange, but it's a sign that you’re truly growing and learning.

In this article, let’s explore why expanding your knowledge often leads to feeling like there’s so much more to learn.

Understanding Your Knowledge Base

Think of your knowledge on any topic as a small circle. This circle represents everything you know. Around it are idea receptors—like vacuum tubes—ready to absorb new information. As you learn, your knowledge base grows, and so do the number of these receptors. This means that the more you know, the more you realize how much you don’t know.

Learning More, Knowing Less

When you first start learning something, your knowledge base is small. Every new piece of information feels significant and builds your confidence. However, as you continue learning, you uncover the subject's complexity and depth. Your growing knowledge base exposes you to more unknowns, which can feel overwhelming.

This phenomenon is known as the “paradox of expertise.”

Here’s how it works:

The Initial Confidence Boost

When you first start learning something new, the initial steps are often straightforward. You might feel a rush of confidence as you quickly grasp the basics. This is a natural part of the learning process—early progress is often noticeable, and it feels good to understand something new.

For example, when you first learn to use a new tool or software, like Cabinet Vision, you might quickly get the hang of basic functions. This initial confidence can make you feel like you’ve mastered the tool.

The Discovery of Complexity

However, as you continue to learn, you start to realize just how complex the subject really is. Suddenly, the basic knowledge you’ve gained seems small compared to the vast amount of information that’s still out there. You might start to feel like you’ve barely scratched the surface.

In the case of Cabinet Vision, as you explore more advanced features, you may find that there are countless techniques, shortcuts, and settings that you didn’t even know existed. This can be both exciting and daunting—it’s a reminder that there’s always more to learn.

The Expansion of Your Knowledge Base

As your knowledge base grows, you begin to see connections between different pieces of information. You understand how various components work together, and you start to appreciate the nuances of the subject. But with this deeper understanding comes the realization of how much you still don’t know.

This expanding awareness is a sign of true expertise. The more you learn, the more you realize how much there is to learn. Your growing knowledge base brings with it a broader perspective, which helps you see gaps in your understanding that you weren’t aware of before.

Embracing the Feeling of “Not Knowing”

This feeling of “not knowing” is actually a positive sign. It means you’re pushing the boundaries of your understanding and challenging yourself to go beyond what’s comfortable. “Experts” in any field often describe feeling like they know less as they learn more because they are aware of the infinite depth of their subject.

Why This Matters

Understanding the paradox of expertise is crucial for anyone committed to lifelong learning. It helps you stay humble and open-minded, knowing that no matter how much you learn, there’s always more to discover. This mindset is especially important in fields that are constantly evolving, like cabinetry and manufacturing, where new materials, techniques, and technologies are always emerging.

In the end, the key is to embrace the journey of learning, knowing that it will always be a work in progress. The feeling of “knowing less” isn’t a sign of failure; it’s a sign that you’re growing, exploring, and becoming more knowledgeable every day.

My Example

For anyone publicly sharing knowledge with a group of people, this is a very real thing. You can quickly flip back and forth from being overly confident in your skillset to feeling like an imposter because you start to realize how much you have to learn.

This idea of self-humbling learning applies to any topic.

For me, there are two obvious topics in my life that stand out.

The first one is Cabinet Vision. While I have learned a lot over the last few years, there is still so much potential to uncover.

Some of you might read this and think to yourself, wow, why would I even want to begin learning something so complex.

To answer that question, I would ask you this: Would you rather invest in a software/technology and hit the limits of what you can learn within a month or a year, or would you rather choose software/technology that is only limited by you and your team's learning abilities?

For true growth and scalability options. That’s an easy answer for me.

I don’t consider myself to have mastered Cabinet Vision, but I have learned enough to know that just about anything is possible. I have especially learned that there is still so much potential for me to improve and learn new tactics.

The other example of self-humbling learning is the Bible. This book is the most incredible thing I have ever read. You can dedicate your entire life to one book of the Bible and continue learning new things about the same words that were written. Part of that is because this idea of learning actually exposes more things that we don’t know, and the other part is that the Spirit of God speaks to us differently as we read depending on what we need.

Just because I will never understand everything in the Bible definitely doesn’t stop me from reading and wanting to learn everything I can about it and who God is.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed reading about the interesting topic of learning.

I encourage you all to dive into something and see what all you can uncover, whether its golfing, playing guitar, or a business skill, there are few things more rewarding than being able to look back a couple of years and see the growth in an area of your life.

Take Action

• Focus Your Learning: Identify key areas where expanding your knowledge will have the most impact. Prioritize learning that aligns with your goals and passions.

• Stay Curious: Keep seeking new information and skills. Attend workshops, read extensively, and engage with other people in your field.

• Share Your Knowledge: Help others grow by sharing what you’ve learned. Whether through teaching, writing, or mentoring, your insights can inspire and educate others.

By embracing a mindset of continuous learning, you not only enhance your skills but also contribute to the growth and success of those around you. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of our knowledge and strive for excellence in all we do.

Last point I will make.

Learning can be humbling, but it doesn’t mean we have to underestimate ourselves. Most of the time, we know more than we give ourselves credit for.

You don’t have to become an “expert” to be able to help someone who was where you were a couple of years ago.