Better than Knowledge

My love for books and reading helped me discover pretty early on that I would find my competitive advantage in that which I knew, and thus I leveraged that insight  to my academic and professional benefit. But I soon learnt, whether fortunately or unfortunately, that that which you know makes you little more than a repository of information, at best, and everybody's go-to (resource person) at worst.

Without a doubt, increasing knowledge expands our world and thus increases the number of real opportunities available to us. However, too many of us are content to stay in the realm of knowledge, simply for the status it conveys, or (more likely) for the fear of what it will require of us to take the plunge into application. Yes, stepping outside that constraining comfort zone. For sure, "better than knowledge is applied knowledge." Real change, personal growth, comes about only as we close our eyes to our fears, block out the noise of discouragement and negativity and take the required plunge of faith. Achieving all that we want is altogether contingent upon the application of all that we know.

No-brainer, right? Maybe. But then, in the face of the increasing availability of vast amounts of information, existing talent and skill sets, what explains the extent of our mediocrity and underachievement? I posit a failure to move beyond the realm of knowledge, undoubtedly the result of knowledge underutilized unexplored, un-applied.

Whether it be because of a fear of failure, a lack of confidence, an inability to dream....to see beyond your current circumstance, understanding that 'knowing' takes you to the river but never across it is crucial. The likelihood of your reaching your highest potential is directly related to your willingness to act in spite of your external circumstance, or in the face of inner conflict and turmoil.  You've read the books, taken the classes, you have the requisite know-how and talent to get the task done, to move yourself to the next level. Every attempt at application of this know-how increases ability and confidence, and failure teaches far greater lessons than success ever will. Increasing our failure rates, we are told, increases the likelihood of eventual success. So go ahead, take the plunge....do what you know you ought to do. Just do it!