We are drowning in Information while starving for Wisdom – E. O. Wilson

Firstly, let’s understand what is Wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments. Wisdom is not only knowledge that is born out of experiences, wisdom is also knowing when to apply what you know in sensible ways.  It’s the ability to discern inner qualities. Whenever you’re struggling with a life situation or phase, having the wisdom to navigate the rough waters can be emotionally life-saving. But where and how do you find wisdom when you need it?

Wisdom is associated with attributes such as unbiased judgment, compassion, experiential self-knowledge, self-transcendence and non-attachment. Let’s explore a few “places” where we can find wisdom.

1. Call or meet an elderly person or parents:

Wisdom comes with age. Elderly people / parents can be considered as a bank of intellectual capital. Even though you might not currently have the type of relationship where you willingly seek guidance from them but it’s never too late to start.

Your relationship with your parents and elders will be enhanced and you’ll experience one of the most rewarding emotional connections possible in life. Seek out your parents or any elderly person you know and trust for some much-needed information. They will definitely have a different perspective and will show you the other side of the coin.

 

2. Reflect over relevant past experiences:

Self-reflection is turning our attention inward to consider what we are feeling at a given moment, why we acted in such a way, and how our past experiences have shaped us. Because wisdom is intricately connected with experiences, think about how you have dealt with a similar situation. Think about anything related to that type of situation that you’ve been through in the past.

 

• What did you do then?
• How would that action work now?
• How could you tweak the action to work in your current situation?

 

Strive to learn from and even use something from your prior experience to get through the current crisis. Remember, there are no setbacks, there are only learnings. Turn your Wounds into Wisdom.

3. Read a self-help book:

Books can be incredibly powerful. They have the ability to suck us in, take us on adventures, and influence the way we think. They can teach us, move us, give us new perspectives, and help shape us. Reflect on what you read. Which parts will work for you now? What did the author say that you really appreciated or found enlightening?

4. Talk your heart out with friends:

Friends are the ones whom you can count upon, the ones who accept you for who you are, and honest enough to show you the mirror. They may offer some insight from their own experience that could be of great help to you now. Embrace their stories and experiences.

Friends will often share stories and follow them with comments such as, “This is what I did and it did not work for me,” which can also shed some effective insight on your current struggle.

5. Observe and Listen:

Believe it or not, wisdom might be “happening” right in front of you. Watch others. What do they say? What do they do? Open your eyes and learn from the experiences of others. The fact is that others are often offering their wisdom to us. We just don’t notice it. Re-discovering what is all around you is an effective channel to wisdom.

“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself” – Eleanor Roosevelt

6. Jump on the Technology Bandwagon:

Advances in technology have enabled us to seek and find all kinds of knowledge and information. Online platforms like Coursera, ITunes University, Udemy, etc. offer hundreds of courses that provide expertise, knowledge, and wisdom. If you consider yourself technologically challenged, then it is time to challenge yourself in this area.

7. Do some Soul-Searching:

Allow yourself time to focus on what’s going on inside you. Soul searching is an honest evaluation of your feelings and motives. An example of soul searching is when you take the time to meditate and think about the purpose of your life and what is most important to you. Do you have any strong gut feelings about how to handle a challenging situation? Sometimes, you can draw on your own wisdom to get you through an emotional storm. Soul searching is the examination of one’s conscience especially with regard to motives and values.

8. Work with a Coach:

A masterful coach is one who works with you to find your own solutions, through a thought-provoking and creative process, that inspires you to maximise your personal and professional potential. Find the right coach who inspires you and helps you to connect with your inner wisdom.

To understand more about coaching, watch the video here. As W3 Coach, I use Neuro Linguistic Programming to help my clients connect with your wisdom to overcome challenges and achieve goals. You may want to read more about my coaching approach as W3 Coach here.

9. Allow yourself to get inspired from external sources:

Whenever you take in new, fascinating information, you never know what can happen. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out the TED website. Listening to stories and speakers who’ve been through crises or possess great intellect will inspire you to think differently and perhaps enable you to develop your own useful wisdom.

 

Here are some more external sources of inspiration:

• Surround yourself with things that energize you.
• Listen to any kind of  music.
• Learn more about your subject.
• Take a trip. Travelling gives you so much of experience and inspiration.
• Try a new art form.
• Watch videos of talks and interviews of successful people.
• Have a vision.
• Money is a great motivator. Work towards achieving it.
• Exercise to stay fit. Remember – Health is Wealth.
• Practice Attitude of Gratitude.
• Set healthy competition.

 

Finding wisdom is not as difficult as you might think. Contact a parent, an adult, reflect on prior experiences, read, or talk with cherished friends, or appoint a coach. Take note of what is happening around you, be observant. Use technology and allow yourself to become inspired through exposure to great intellect.

 

You’ll enrich your life in ways you haven’t even considered when you find wisdom using these strategies.

 

For more powerful and relevant articles and secrets on enhancing your Wealth, Wisdom and Wellness, follow me on my personal blog https://w3coach.com/blog/ now.

Click here to connect with Your W3 Coach across all digital platforms.