Ignorance is a curable disease. Accurate information, knowledge, is the antidote.

It is actually a sign of intelligence to admit ignorance on a subject and seek accurate information to fill that knowledge gap. Learning should not stop with our formal education. And not all learning occurs inside a classroom. Life itself, is a continuous opportunity to improve ourselves through a commitment to lifelong learning. Why not take advantage of all the resources we have to expand our abilities and life experience?

I believe some confuse ignorance with stupidity. Ignorance is a lack of knowledge, or incorrect knowledge on a subject. Often we do not realize our ignorance until faced with a situation that exceeds our abilities or understanding.

Conversely, stupidity is activity to the contrary of good sense. Stupidity often occurs when someone knows better but for some reason, often laziness, will not do better. At times ignorance and stupidity overlap and that often results in tragedy, like pouring gasoline onto an open fire to increase the flames.

Here are a few suggestions on recognizing pockets of ignorance and ways to fill them:

• The saying goes, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

Sometimes that is good advice. Often, if at first you don’t succeed, question your methods or understanding. Be sure your assumptions are accurate. A systematic approach helps to insure accuracy and allows you to repeat or alter the process based on observation.

• If you ever feel that you continually get the wrong answer or wrong result, be sure there is a direct connection and relationship between what you do and what you expect to happen as a result of your actions.

• If you find that your information or depth of knowledge is only superficial, investigate. The Internet, libraries and subject matter experts are all resources that can help us increase the depth and breadth of our knowledge on a subject.

• In situations where you feel overwhelmed, lost or continuously behind, suspect ignorance. Perhaps you have enough information on the subject, but you don’t have it as readily available as others. This calls for more frequent review and practice working with the information.

These are just four basic ideas to help you recognize the symptoms of possible knowledge gaps. See how many personal situations you can add to this list. The point is, willingly recognize and admit there are situations where you lack knowledge. Then, commit to filling those gaps.

Tim O’Brien writes continuing-education courses and presents seminars on stress management.