There’s a big difference between knowing what needs to be done and doing what needs to be done. That’s because information, (even great information) by itself is useless, without the motivation to use it.
There’s an interesting post on problogger.com, where Darren Rowse shares how it was not until his wife gave him an ultimatum, that he turned his blog into a full-time business.
Darren already knew what he needed to do and he had bundles of ability. However, none of that was getting him the results he and his wife needed, until he became motivated enough to take action.
That’s because knowledge is not power
One of the most inaccurate common sayings is; “knowledge is power.”
Knowledge is not power – it only acquires power when you elect to do something with it. For example, knowing how to speak Japanese has no ‘power’ for you whatsoever, unless you use that knowledge in some way. You can use that skill to reach a brand new marketplace with your product or service – but if you decide after mastering the language, never to speak or read it again, nothing will happen.
Knowing and doing
On my motivation master class audio program, I mention a guy I met, who had recently lost his business; running up massive debts in the process. I met him at his home, and immediately noticed that his bookshelves were packed with the most powerful, highly-acclaimed marketing books and CD’s on the market. His collection must have been worth thousands.
I asked him if he had not found the material in these books of any value, as the primary reason he went broke was a lack of sales. He explained that he had read or listened to all of them, but had not been motivated enough to use what he had learnt until it was too late.
In my experience, his situation is not that uncommon. Some people will scour the Internet for sites that have valuable advice, which they then do nothing with. They love to read about new, powerful marketing ideas but they do nothing with them.
By the way, you can download a copy of my Motivation Master Class audio program here, which shows you how to motivate yourself (and others) to take action. (It runs for just under 2 hours!)
Whatever line of business you are in, don’t simply gather marketing advice and find it interesting - Use it!
I think that a lot of us recognize ourselves in what you have written there Jim. I wasted years finding stuff interesting buy never actioning it and have no idea what it lost me in $’s. Thanks.
Thanks for the feedback Jennifer. Hopefully it will inspire others to get off their asses and make things happen.
It’s an interesting piece of psychology that despite KNOWING something is right, deciding to and ACTUALLY acting on it often eludes us..I flap around in this area often despite the knowledge. Being analytical and honest with yourself is definitely the beginning of a step in the right direction. Thanks for the reminder Jim
Thanks Graham. I remember being told once that if the old saying really was true (an apple a day keeps the doctor away) some people would STILL not eat their apple a day!
Here here Jim!
Most people know what to do but they don’t do what they know.
And I bet these people have a mountain of self development books too! Thinking that the answers are going to be in the next book that they read!
I remember going on a Tony Robbins weekend and some of my colleagues had signed up to 2 more of Robbin’s weekends there and then. “But you haven’t even taken any action on this weekend yet?”
Ok, so the end of the weekend was a sales fest from a master salesman but there is a lesson to be learned. Don’t read another book, listen to another audio or attend another course until you have taken action on your last piece of education.
I think it was Jim Rohn who said something like “when you schedule a task to be done it becomes real”
So take action, don’t be afraid of “failure” and more important than anything else, learn from the experience for next time.
I take more action now than I ever did. Does everything all go my way? NO. Do I make mistakes? YES, HUGE ONES! But by taking action it’s amazing how other opportunities come your way or are created!
Sean
Sean McPheat
Thanks for that Sean.
Like they say; the harder I work, the ‘luckier’ I get
Jim
Very good. I myself call action ‘the most valuable human resource’, but unfortunately, it is a resource that is seldom seen by many people on the web.
Too many talk and too few act. But it is through acting that we prove our thought leadership – a lesson that you taught me on the phone some weeks ago.
It certainly does seem that crisis is the catalyst for action, like you mention with Darren Rowse. I’m putting action to all my words at the moment and really trying to prove everything I say – because before I did that, I was talking but not earning.
This article is great – it reminds me to keep acting!
Thanks Jim
Thanks as always for the feedback Scott. Glad you found our chat useful.
Putting your words into action is a good idea – because you tend to have some excellent ideas. Go for it!!!
I love reading and learning things, but for some reason, there is that mental block of “using” the information. I think that as people, once we understand a concept, we expect it to be automatically integrated into our abilities. However, just like children, you can understand how to walk without being able to.
Action is important. If you don’t apply knowledge and test new theories, you’ll never truly “learn” anything.
Good point – Thanks. It’s all about ‘applied knowledge.’
Thanks for the reminder. Its so true. In fact, I once heard from a friend about the psychology behind this – that people will always take the easier path.
Between taking action and picking up another course (i.e. justifying you need MORE information), the latter is easier – that is why so many keep attending courses in the pursuit of knowlege yet lag so badly in the action-taking department.
Jim,
Just bought your motivation master class and L.O.V.E it. There, I took action:)
Thanks Jennifer! Always great to hear from people who have used the program.
Jim-
This post is completely true. I have seen amazing employees come and go because of their lack of motivation to be great. Channeling passion for your work is extremely important to be able to get things done.
Work is called work for a reason. If you don’t have motivation, let’s be real, it is not going to get done.
Thanks for another post that is motivating us to be great.
Teresa
Follow through is critical and often the hardest lesson to learn. I rewrote this comment three times because I realize that I have said all that I was going to say before. Focus is my goal this year and I am trying so hard not to backslide.
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