Why are people with a lot of interest in the success others
Motivation / / December 19, 2019
Entrepreneur and author Michael Simmons (Michael Simmons) in its blog to Medium he noted that many successful people have extensive knowledge in various fields. Steve Jobs, Ben Franklin, Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci, Maria Sklodowska-Curie - these are just some of them. They all Polymath.
Who are Polymath
Polymath - man, competent in at least three different areas and able to integrate this knowledge together.
Simply put, these people take the best in various fields, which helps them to become more effective in the field of basic work.
Polymath were and continue to go against the popular conception of success that the only way to achieve recognition called deep dive in a professional field.
They create unusual combination of knowledge from different areas, offering breakthrough ideas and completely new industries to explore.
For example, people have studied the biology and sociology of hundreds of years. But no one has ever studied these subjects are not together and synthesized them into a new discipline, while the researcher Edward Osborne Wilson is a pioneer in the field of sociobiology in the 1970s.
Charles Darwin, the founder of the famous theory evolution, it was also Polymath. Steven Johnson, author of the book "Where do good ideas. The birth and the fate of innovations ", describes him as a man of extensive knowledge in the field of marine biology, geology and natural sciences. That interest in the various sciences allowed Darwin made a scientific breakthrough.
Why are people - the norm of the modern world
Polymath always existed. But in the past, these people had no special recognition. It was believed that the more a person understands the science, the less thoughtful he is doing.
In the modern world related to the Polymath changed. Diverse interests is no longer a curse but a blessing. This is an advantage, not a disadvantage. Such people are more successful financially and career wise, than those who are interested in depth of only one area of expertise.
Successful polymath - a stibolyl Jobs, combining design and software. Or Elon Musk - a physicist, engineer, entrepreneur, inventor and investor.
What are the benefits Polymath
They create unusual combination of skills that lead to success
Scott Adams, creator of the popular satirical comic strip Dilbert, was not the funniest man in the world. He was not an outstanding cartoonist or an incredibly skilled worker, when took the then still unknown project in 20 years. But he combined the ability to make people laugh and to draw, focus on the business component of the project and was the best in its niche.
Scott Adams, creator of the popular satirical comic strip DilbertIf you want to succeed, you can become the best in one area or good in two or more areas. The first is impossible, and the second actually. Everyone has a few areas where he knows more than others. In my case, it drawing. It is unlikely that I can be called an outstanding artist, but I draw better than most people. I'm not a comedian funnier usual, but I'm funnier than most. The combination of the two skills is rare, so my work is unique.
They are quick to adapt to changes
Developer of mobile applications engineer the drone, the content creator to YouTube - the profession did not exist 15 years ago. If we could know in advance what will be the specialty, go back in time to learn the right skills, and then to become the best in new industries, it would be great. But this is unreal. Therefore it is necessary in the process to adapt to changes. And Polymath make it better and more quickly than experts one area.
Polymath can quickly master new knowledge.
It can combine them in unusual ways, therefore, easier to learn new skills. One skilled in the field will require more outdated timeTo adapt to innovations. It will be much more difficult to start from the beginning.
They solve complex problems
The solution of many problems facing society, lies in several areas of knowledge. Consider the example of obesity - because of the high death rate of people in the world.
You might think that to solve the problem is simple: eat less, exercise more. But this is not quite true. The phenomenon of obesity is more complicated than it seems. To eliminate it requires knowledge in the field of physiology, genetics, behavioral psychology, general psychology, sociology, economics, marketing, education and nutrition. A specialist in one of these areas to solve the problem can not. Polymath is easier to handle. Synthesizing a variety of knowledge, they offer original ideas and techniques.
They stand out and are valued higher
Each person has a set of knowledge and skills. They commodity. And the price of the goods depends on supply and demand. You can be the most valuable set of skills, but if someone has the same, the price of your item drops.
Polymath create a unique combination of knowledge than favorably with those of the majority. So if you want to earn more, learn more. Interests of different areas to create a rare combination of skills.
How to become a Polymath
Be curious and open to learning
Never too old to learn something new that will be an excellent complement to the existing knowledge. But do not do it thoughtlessly. Determine the most convenient and effective learning model for you. For example, the following principles 20/80.
Grow in different areas
As a child, we like to explore different things. But as they grow up interest in the world is replaced with clear scope of knowledge. We know which set of skills needed for the job, and we pump only them. But being a polymath - means not limited to one area.
Do not try to be perfect in everything
Polymath - is not an expert in one narrow area. They are above average in various fields. Think about it, when you want to drop out just because the top skill is still far away.
For example, your passion - tennis. But to occupy the first place in the rankings is not necessary. Even if you are 45 or 128 line - this is already a victory. Needless to hit the rating sets you apart from the crowd. This is the means that you are better than most.
Use the available sources of knowledge
Do not bury the desire to learn something new just because of the lack of money. Do not think that knowledge can be obtained only in expensive workshops and trainings.
In today's world, in the public domain is a huge amount of content from the world's top experts: hundreds of thousands of online courses, billions of videos. Our time - a golden era for the people who want to learn and have the discipline to do it yourself.
see also
- Why is knowledge - it is new money, and how to develop the skills of continuous learning →
- 3 ways to get rid of old knowledge →
- 13 scientific facts that will expand your knowledge of the world →