In the world of personal knowledge management (PKM), understanding the three different levels of knowledge can help you get more out of your notes and ideas.
In this newsletter, we’ll explore all three levels and show you how to get more out of your notes & ideas by going from information to application.
The 3 Levels of Knowledge
Not all knowledge is created equal.
In my experience, there are three distinct levels of knowledge:
- Level 1: Information
- Level 2: Revelation
- Level 3: Application
The higher you go, the more value you get. In this post, we’ll look at some specific ways you can refine & enrich the knowledge you are managing in your PKM system.
But first, let’s look at each level in detail.
Level 1: Information
The first level of knowledge is Information. This is the most basic level of knowledge, where you have something. A lot of our digital information falls into this category. With information, you have the ability to go find what you’re looking for when you need it, but you have to first think about it before you can locate it Think of this as the stuff you have in “cold storage” — things that you can search for and find, but don’t do any good until you go dig it up. The problem? Information is often dormant. It sits in your digital archive, waiting for the moment that you need it. Until then, it’s essentially useless.
For example, let’s say you’ve read a book on productivity and taken detailed notes. Those notes are potentially valuable, but can’t possibly help you until you remember they exist and know where to find them. Without active engagement, the information remains static, like a book on a shelf you’ve never even opened.
Level 2: Revelation
The second level of knowledge is Revelation. This is where you know something - not just where to find it, but the actual content itself. At this level, you are able to recall the information without having to search for it. This is where knowledge starts to take shape, as you can recall key concepts, quotes, or processes without having to dig through your notes. It’s the difference between having a recipe book and knowing how to make your favorite dish by heart.
Revelation is powerful because it allows you to engage with knowledge in real-time. You can discuss ideas intelligently, reference key points in conversations, and even teach others. But, there’s a catch: Revelation doesn’t automatically translate to action. And if you don’t do anything with the information you collect in your PKM system, you aren’t getting the full value out of your notes & ideas. For example, you might understand the principles of time management, but if you’re not applying them, your knowledge remains theoretical.
Level 3: Application
The third level of knowledge is Application. This is where you do something with what you know. This is where information and revelation come together to create real-world impact. Application is about taking what you know and putting it into practice. It’s the difference between reading about productivity and actually being productive (which I would define as “following through on your intentions”).
For instance, let’s say you’ve read James Clear’s Atomic Habits. At the information level, you’ve taken notes and can go find them and review them. At the revelation level, you understand the concepts and can talk about them. But at the application level, you’re implementing those concepts—creating systems, tracking progress, and seeing tangible results from actually forming positive habits.
This is where the magic happens. Application transforms knowledge into action, and action is necessary for growth.
A Practical Example: Reading a Book
Let’s apply this framework to a common scenario: reading a book. Many people read books to find answers to problems they are currently facing, but few take the next steps to make that knowledge actionable.
- Information: You read a book on productivity and take detailed notes. These notes are stored in your PKM system for future reference.
- Revelation: You understand the book’s key concepts and can discuss them with others. You know the principles of time blocking, prioritization, and habit formation.
- Application: You implement time blocking in your daily schedule, prioritize tasks using the Eisenhower Matrix, and start building habits like morning journaling. This is where the real value lies.
Don’t be the person who does nothing with what they read! Put it into practice.
That’s the main reason I started the Bookworm podcast several years ago—I wanted external accountability to actually do something with what I read.
Books give us access to some of the best ideas from the greatest minds the world has ever known. But if you do nothing with it, nothing changes.
Why This Matters
The key is to refine your notes & ideas to get more out of what you already have. A lack of productivity or creativity is often not due to a lack of Information. It’s due to a lack of Revelation, and ultimately, Application.
The goal of understanding the three levels of knowledge is to go from information to application.
At each level, there is a specific mindset that can help you go to the next level:
- Level 1: Organize for Accessibility. Make sure your information is easy to find. Use tags, folders, and links to group notes together so that information is easy to find when you need it.
- Level 2: Focus on Retention. Move beyond passive note-taking. Capture only the things that really resonate, and consider using mind mapping to codify information in your brain so it’s easier to recall.
- Level 3: Prioritize Action. Don’t let your notes just gather dust! Identify actionable insights from your notes and create systems to implement them. Whether it’s a new habit, a workflow improvement, or a creative project, the goal is to move from knowing to doing.
Don’t get stuck over-consuming. More information doesn’t move the needle. Refine what you already have and do something with it.
