This program is designed to help you achieve your potential—both as an individual and as part of communities. It’s organized into three levels, each building on the previous one, like steps in a staircase. You can explore topics in any order you choose, but you’ll get the most out of the program if you follow the intended path.
Level 1: Human Potential helps you understand what people are capable of and what gets in the way. It answers the question: What is holding me back, and is there hope for change?
Level 2: Skills for Overcoming Barriers teaches you practical tools to address the obstacles identified in Level 1. You’ll learn about critical thinking, psychology, emotion management, communication, science, education, community, and efficiency. These skills work together and reinforce each other.
Level 3: Creating Change in Systems and Communities shows you how to apply what you’ve learned to improve groups, organizations, and society. This level assumes you’ve mastered Level 2.
Start with Level 1. Complete all six topics at the bare essentials level in order before moving to Level 2. This foundation is worth the time investment. Think of it like learning to read before writing essays—the basics matter.
Then move to Level 2. Again, aim to complete all topics at bare essentials level. You can study them in any order, but they’re designed to work together.
Finally, Level 3 builds on everything you’ve learned. It won’t make much sense without Levels 1 and 2. Again, these can be learned in any order.
There’s no timeline for completing this program. Some people move quickly; others take months or years. What matters is understanding, not speed. Howver, if you find yourself putting it off more than you would like, consider enlisting a study partner, or joining or forming a study group. Joining the Techne online community at (..) can also be helpful.
You might be tempted to jump ahead to topics that seem more interesting or urgent. This is understandable, but it often leads to confusion. Here’s why:
Every topic in this program has three depth levels:
Bare Essentials includes: - An introduction to the topic - How it helps you in different areas of your life (work, relationships, health, personal growth, community) - A practical guide: step-by-step instructions you can learn, practice, and use - Practice exercises to test your understanding and apply what you’ve learned - Key sources and suggestions for further reading
Intermediate builds on bare essentials by adding: - Deeper concepts and theory - How this topic connects to other topics in the same level - More complex practice exercises and real-world scenarios - Expanded research and evidence - More sources to explore
Advanced goes even deeper with: - Cutting-edge research and expert-level insights - Edge cases and limitations of the topic - How to teach others what you’ve learned - Opportunities to contribute to improving this material - Comprehensive bibliography and expert resources
You can complete a topic at bare essentials and move on. You don’t need to reach advanced level in everything. However, the deeper you go in topics that matter most to you, the more skilled and capable you’ll become. And the more skilled you are in one area, the easier other areas become.
All of this material is free and open to everyone. No paywalls, no gatekeeping.
We also welcome feedback and contributions. If you find something unclear, inaccurate, or incomplete, you can suggest improvements. If you’re an expert in a topic, you can contribute new material. This program improves because people like you help make it better. (See [Contribution Guidelines] for details.)
Pick the next topic: “What is Human Potential?” Read it at bare essentials level. Don’t rush. Take time to think about the ideas. Then move through the other Level 1 topics at your own pace.
You’re ready to begin. The next topic explores what human potential actually means.
Intermediate level would expand on: - Learning styles and how to tailor your approach (visual, kinesthetic, reading, etc.) - How to use this program alongside other learning resources - Setting goals for what you want to achieve at each level - How the companion organization (study groups, community projects) can support your learning
Advanced level would include: - Pedagogical research on prerequisite learning and scaffolding - How to teach others to use this program effectively - Contributing to the program’s structure and design - Research on self-directed learning and motivation
Return to the Topic Navigation Page.