No excuse for lack of knowledge

November 12th, 2007 • Related • Filed Under

gaining more knowledge

LEARN!

I do not consider knowledge to be power. If knowledge were power, all smart people would be powerful and no stupid people would be.

However, knowledge is a powerful resource, and it’s a resource you can never have too much of. I know someone once said a little knowledge can be dangerous; that guy must have been stupid! No matter what’s happing in your professional or personal life right now, you can always cultivate knowledge. The process of learning strengthens the mind, cultivates emotional and spiritual resources and increases your reserve of knowledge.

During some periods of life it may seem as if we’re just not getting anywhere at all. It may seem at times that efforts are wasted and actions are futile. These difficult times often provide the best opportunity to learn something, develop a new skill or take an old skill to the level of mastery. When you engage the process of learning, you are always moving forward. The more knowledge and skill you develop the greater resource you have to draw from when opportunity shows its face again.

I have had people say to me that they barely have enough time in the day to survive, much less try to learn something new…

Bullshit!

Dedicate at least a half-hour each day to learning. As part of my morning ritual I spend at least a half-hour reading a book or periodical relating to my present goals. The internet is full of on-line courses; you don’t even have to leave your chair to access these resources and thousands of them are free. Subscribe to a magazine or periodical specific to your personal vision of success; the arrival of the latest issue provides a pre-scheduled learning opportunity. And of course there’s the time-honored American ritual: read in the bathroom!

Just one-half hour of reading a day translates into four full work-weeks of learning a year. One month of learning from a 30 minute a day investment!

Best of all, the process of learning is, all by itself, one of the most powerful ways to improve your self. Learning is the foundation for all self-perfection. Remember that perfection is not a destination, but a never-ending process; the process of learning is an exercise in self-perfection.

About the author

jim bouchardWhere do I start with Jim Bouchard, he’s done it all. He is an author, businessman, personal development trainer, black belt Karate instructor, footbal coach….the list goes on. He is the creator of the Dynamic Components of Personal Power program. Visit Jim’s site at www.jimbouchard.org for more information on his self development program.

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There Are 11 Responses So Far. »

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  1. Comment by Javi on 13 November 2007:

    Hi Jim, agree with you on learning. It’s a never ending process and directly or indirectly we learn stuff everyday. I have some thoughts on some of your views on knowledge though, knowledge per se, as you said is not power, it’s how you recognize the practical application of this knowledge that makes its possessor potentially powerful, otherwise you’d be nothing short of a storage device. I think the phrase ‘a little knowledge can be dangerous’ in its proper context could mean that criticizing or expressing an opinion on something that one has very little knowledge of, can be disastrous as there could be some details/facts that you may have overlooked, rendering your criticism or opinion severely lacking. Just my thoughts.

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  2. Comment by Jim Bouchard on 13 November 2007:

    Javi,

    Thanks too much for your insightful comments!

    As for knowledge as power: right on! I go into much more detail about this idea in Dynamic Components of Personal Power. When I increase my store of knowledge, I increase my “potential power.” I might also say that I increase my capacity to do the work neccessary to accomplish my goals.

    My “expression” or application of power is defined by action. I live near a large power dam. The water behind the dam posseses great potential energy, but we only produce power with that water when we release that potential and direct the water through the turbines of the power generator. I agree entirely with your take; some people are very good at accumulating knowledge yet never do anything with it!

    You’re also on point regarding “a little knowledge”…

    I’m simply taking some lisence to make a point: learning even a little each day can add up to a great deal of knowledge over time. Too many people these days find excuses to avoid a little learning, yet will complain when opportunity passes them by because they lack the knowledge or potential to exploit that opportunity.

    Just a half-hour a day of focused learning can give one the equal of a college course over one year!

    Thanks for your comments: I always welcome thoughtful discourse. For me, thoughtful comments are a great opportunity for learning!

    Best thoughts,
    Jim

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  3. Pingback by My Top-10 Personal Development Blogs - Self Improvement Emporium on 15 November 2007:

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  4. Comment by Glenn Tan on 17 November 2007:

    hi steven, back from training, great to read these posts again. Learning is definitely a journey! Continue to keep me motivated!

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  5. Comment by GreatManagement on 17 November 2007:

    Totally agree with this post. One way of ‘getting on’ is to learn new stuff and keep up to date. 30 minutes a day is easy. I use the analogy of ‘brushing your teeth’. Most individuals do that twice a day without fail, so read a book or learn something twice a day, everyday for 15 minutes - make it a habit.

    Andrew

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  6. Comment by Jim Bouchard on 17 November 2007:

    Andrew,

    Thanks for your comments!

    For some people, even 30 minutes a day, particularly for what might be perceived as an “extra” activity can be daunting. Splitting the task into 2 manageable chunks of 15 minutes is an excellent strategy.

    Jim

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  7. Comment by Doug Rosbury on 20 November 2007:

    You don’t understand what true power is. Knowledge is
    “to know”. Knowing, in the ancient wisdom, is a matter of having experienced a given situation as in “To know a woman”
    or in the other way around, ” To know a man” (sexually).
    What people call knowledge is just mental conditioning, as in
    attending university. It is not true knowledge. What is “true” power? True power is the charisma one has as the result of self mastery. This is the only true power. And the only true
    knowledge is what one has as the result of experience.
    True power results from The restraint of power and the
    restraint of knowledge. Self master resuts from having learned to restrain ones potential for action, leaving others
    in doubt as to what they should do. This is to have true power over situations involving others.—Doug Rosbury

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  8. Comment by Jim Bouchard on 21 November 2007:

    Actually, I couldn’t agree more!

    Power is always the measurement of results. Power is our “capacity or ability to perform or act effectively”, and that certainly speaks to experience and wisdom as well as “mental conditioning” and other forms of conditioning.

    I think I understand your position on restraint, however, while restraint is a classic characteristic of the master, one has to have developed power to have any power to restrain! A true master does not restrain his “potential” for action, quite the contrary, he possesses incredible potential; he restrains action when appropriate and applies his power when beneficial. That is why the classic story of the “master” in martial arts traditions is one who spends a life-time devoted to self-perfection, including the accumulation of knowledge and skill and the development of his abilities.

    To many people in this world choose not to develop their power. Too many people allow other powerful people to dictate the conditions of their lives. Frankly, a lot of people are either lazy or refuse to accept personal responsibility for their own development.

    My message is simple: take responsibility to develop yourself. Develop your personal power and use it for your benefit and the benefit of others. Apply your power responsibly, you might say with restraint when appropriate.

    Power in itself is not good or evil, only one’s application of power promotes either good or evil action. The real problem is that corrupt people have the same access to power as you or I. Goodness is only promoted when decent people develop and apply their power to take action that promotes humanity.

    I appreciate your thought-provoking comments!

    Best thoughts for success & happiness,
    Jim

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  9. Comment by Kimbo Fights Tank on 16 February 2008:

    Good Write up! Well writen, enjoying your blog and Ill check back to see any of your updates. You know I tend to disagree with a lot of debate about all of this as well.

    What you said made sense.

    Thanks

    Martial

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  10. Comment by Jim Bouchard on 16 February 2008:

    Thanks for adding your comments!

    Jim

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