Tweet

Knowledge Is Not Power – It’s What You Do With That Knowledge, That’s What Really Counts

Guest post by: Andrew Ludlam

Article Overview: That’s right. Knowledge is not power. Nope. This is one of the biggest lies out there. Try this instead: “It is the implementation of knowledge that is the real power”. You see it isn’t what you know that matters, it’s what you do that counts. Knowledge alone won’t fix a thing. It’s what you do with that knowledge; that’s what will make the difference.

Knowledge Is Not Power – It’s What You Do With That Knowledge, That’s What Really Counts

Tell me, how many business books have you read recently and then pragmatically put the contents into practice? That said the majority of ‘business’ books are often full of theoretical rubbish, written by people who have never actually run a business before. But that aside, how much of what you’ve read have you actually implemented?

I do appreciate that we’ve all been guilty at times of not acting on advice. However, people will come up with all manner of excuses to avoid applying some strategy or tactic, and therefore to avoid failing. Often it’s because we don’t want to upset the status quo: it is the fear of failure, perceived or otherwise, that keeps us from moving forward.

However, it is action that makes the difference. Even action that leads you in the wrong direction is a start. You’ll learn nothing standing still.

The key then is to act on the knowledge you’ve gained and, well, try something. Put your promotional materials together (using the principles taught in this book) and start marketing!

I’ve seen it time and again: you put in the time, effort and money attending seminars, buying courses, listening to CDs, and then, you become so swamped with information you literally don’t know where to start.

Here’s another reason I often get for not acting on suggestions or advice: a lack of time. In fact, clients will often express the same frustration i.e. not having enough time to work on their business!

How do we create more time? How can you get more than 24 hours out of the day? You can't. (There's some honesty for you!) Unfortunately, you can't do everything, so don't fight this one. Instead be ruthless with your time, utterly ruthless and literally take yourself 'out of the business'. This will give you two very important and vital things, breathing space and thinking time.

When you're caught up in the workings of your business, you can never truly see the opportunities or act on them. When you're fighting fire, you can never see the wider picture, because you're always focusing on the immediate need. You must remove yourself from the business.

Put three hours aside a week (and I'm being very conservative here!). Three hours a week is equal to:

180 minutes a week = 720 minutes a month = 8,640 minutes a year.

8,640 minutes spent working on your business will give you the kind of successes that at the moment you can only dream about.

For example starting today, what three areas could you start to develop that will help you promote the business further? What marketing strategy could you plan, develop and start in the next 60 minutes?

Here are some more suggestions to help you get started (literally):

Start Small, Really Small

If you are having a hard time getting started, it may be because you’re thinking too big. Sometimes we make long lists of areas we need to work on, then feel overwhelmed and so it only becomes a recipe for paralysis. Take small, modest steps to get yourself started and that should help you get past your apprehension and fear.

Build On Small Successes

Make each step really, really small, and you won’t fail. After a couple of months, these tiny steps will add up to a lot of progress and a lot of success. Sometimes we take on too much, too soon and bail out at the first sign of failure.

Find Inspiration

Read other blogs, books, magazines. Don’t read ‘How To Do It’ books, read ‘How They Did It’ books.

Stick With It

Whatever you do, don’t give up. Even if you aren’t feeling any motivation today, or this week, don’t give up. Look back at those moments when you were motivated: what was your approach? What was it about that particular experience that worked? How can you then incorporate some of these tactics into your current situation?

I can’t impress upon you enough, the importance of taking action. Knowledge is not power, but it is the implementation of knowledge that is the real power.

Related Articles
  Knowledge Is Power?
  Knowledge is NOT power, practice is NOT perfection
  The Knowledge Workers Concept
  Kick the Competition to the Curb & Sell Like Crazy
  The Components of Human Influence
  All The Training in the World will not Improve your Business
  The Importance of Mentors
  Learning: Secret to Lifelong, Success
  The Value Of Knowledge To The Organization
  Article #3 Forget The Hype of MLM, Pyramid Schemes and Get Rich Quick Promises!
  The 3 Biggest Myths of Entrepreneurial Leadership
  Knowledge Tips One Key For Success for Entrepreneurs in 2007
  Wisdom
  Knowledge is Power or is it
  Meaning of Wisdom – It’s a 3-step process
  The Excellent Investment Executive
  The Second Most Important Success Secret
  Looking for Sky In All The Wrong Places
  "The Word" According To Marshall
  The Progressive Leader’s Superior Self-Knowledge

Article Tags: implementation, marketing, marketing consultant, right knowledge



Related Forum Posts
Hello all... - Hello everyone - this is just a short intro. My name is Evie Parsons and I'd just like to say hello to everyone. As everybody knows that nowadays forums are the best source of Knowledge, and through forums we can learn a lot. I look forward to meeting you all and wish you the best of success.
Re: Service Or Product? - I agree with starting a Service-based Business in the economy. Here is what I think is critical: 1. Researching that your Service business has a market. 2. Marketing the Service with as much leverage as possible. 3. Product-izing the Service (aka Package Expert Knowledge). This will only help elevate you as "the" expert in your niche and make you accessible to people in different price points.
Re: Franchise of a popular call center - If you have knowledge in running a call center and know how to manage it effectively then it sounds like it’s a good business for you. Workforce management relates to employee matters like payroll, HR, and employee training. Knowledge management relates to research, strategies, innovations and the effective use of technology. In both cases your prime clients are corporate sectors especially those who want to reduce their cost and increase performance at all levels.
Re: 21 Ways To Get New Customers In A Slow Economy - Thanks Evan, Your ideas are full of wisdom required for a time like this. I`ll like to add another idea to your list : Update your Knowledge and Sharpen your Skill on a daily basis. The economy may be considered slow,but customer awareness is on the increase,therefore,if the pocket (disposable income) of the proposed new customer is of any interest to you,then you must stay ahead by at least one step in your skill and knowledge. The 21 ways as listed by Evan is a sure way to increase in knowledge and sharpen you skill.
Re: Is getting a formal education worthwhile for entrepreneu - Knowledge in whatever form is valuable. Its not just about usefulness in the business that you plan to start. The knowledge that you gain via an education system definitely is not enough for an entrepreneur because Facts that you will face in your role as an entrepreneur will be much different than what you have learnt. But having an education will definitely equip you with getting the leads in handling situations. So my suggestion is that you continue with your studies and gain as much knowledge you can. You are already aware that the learnings you make can be applied on the Website. Same also applies for all your other learnings. The only thing is you will have to wait for the time to apply what you have learnt.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Too Many Sales Reps Are Wimps

Build Corporate Credit for Your Small Business

Looking for an Easy Online Business Opportunity?

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.