Knowledge Is NOT Power

For generations, society’s mantra to us was, "Knowledge is
power." And that knowledge equaled power. As long as this
continued to be subjective, unproven, society kept singing
the mantra.

Boom!

The Internet comes along, knowledge increases 10,000
percent over night, and society chases the knowledge in
greater numbers. More people are getting PhD’s and
double master degrees than ever before. Stress-related
diseases increased 100% last year alone.

What's wrong with this picture?

The subjective is now objective. You don't need any stats
for this. Use your instincts. You "know" this already just
with your own life. It's time for this cultural trance to
awaken from a belief that has now proved itself incorrect.

So, then, what really needs to change?

Well, it didn't ever really change. The ladder was leaning
against the wrong wall, that’s all. We can't point fingers;
we are just now seeing the mantra. The motivational
trainers like Tony Robbins sing this daily. What’s
different is that we no longer can deny the truth of it. My
grandma told me long ago, "The proofs in the pudding."

Do you relate to this? Even in a small way? Great! The
good news -- it only takes 30 seconds to shift your
perspective. That’s several 30-second times throughout the
day until its totally gone. It will not take long though.
The real key that I'm getting into now will override the ole
mantra much faster.

The real key to success is action. Think about it. We
already have tons of information swirling in our heads that
we haven't used. So, when were you going to use it?
Someday maybe. When you are sitting in the rocking chair in
retirement community? Now, don't get me wrong, it isn't too
late to start it then either. But gosh darn it, who would
want to wait until them. Not I. And I don't think you
either. There’s more energy available the younger you are.

Stop chasing more knowledge. Start taking action with
what’s already available. When you use up what’s available,
then reach out.

"Action leads to success." Adopt this new mantra. Set the
books aside. Pick up your brain instead. Start with a
short and quick action plan with a clearly defined goal.
Not a "long drawn out take a month to do" plan. Keep it
simple. Keep it short. Don't overwhelm your mind with
anything else. Then you are returning to the ole mantra.
Don't wait until the kid’s soccer game this weekend.

Stop what you're doing. It will only take three minutes.
Go ahead; grab the post it notes. Aren't they beneath the
paper stack to your left? I play post-it note roulette on
my office wall all the time. It’s quick, easy, fast, and I
can spend more time taking action. In my case, writing
more.

Tony Robbins says, "The only thing that makes a difference
is ACTION! Action is the foundational key to all success."

Okay, you hesitated. Couldn't find the post it notes, huh.
Okay, use a full sheet of paper, I won't tell. Write down
two goals. Yes, you read right, TWO. They could be
something you've been putting off, or two that have been
rumbling around in your mind the past few days. Right now,
this instant, write. Do it before another distraction
occurs. If it’s clear for you in your mind, hold that
vision, but write down the goal. I don't care if you can't
spell it or if the grammar isn't right. You know what it
is. Leave the details out, how the vision, and staple the
goal to that vision and bring them together with a finger
snap.

Good job! I'm proud of you. Took some extra coaching. But
I know you at least have their focus. Promise, you will not
move your mind away until you've made two decisions.

Okay, done that. Now write two steps for each decision that
you can do today. Now, go ahead, think what can you do
right now to start. I know, I know, you're saying,
"Catherine, dah, I've already started I wrote two decisions
down." You're right. You have already started. Two pats
on the back. Now the next step is going to be just as easy.
What is it? Remember; take it from the knowledge you
already have.

Is it lose weight and pick up the phone and call a few of
the gyms to find out more? What about a walk or parking in
the furthest part of the parking lot when you return from
lunch? What about not munching on those potato chips while
you're reading this?

Do you want to write a book and have been "waiting" for the
table of contents to magically appear? Pick up the pen and
start wherever the mind is at. Most books are never written
from page 1. Take that action.

When you complete that action, figure out the next or start
the next. Trust what’s already inside of you. It’s there.
You just haven't used this process frequently enough. Go
ahead. Start. The water’s fine. You know that.

You will find that once you start taking that first step,
the universe will begin to send all that you need. Mix that
with what you already have, and then reach for the
knowledge. Not before. This is the same story with writing
a nonfiction book. Stop researching first and write first.
Get all your knowledge out, and then reach.

Set a quick, simple goal, then take action, and see the
momentum. Don't reverse it. Okay, I can see you are well
on your way today. Now print this article out and reread it
tomorrow and the next. Let it move you with inspiration and
desire for your dreams to come true.

You deserve that!

Copyright 2003-2004, Catherine Franz.