Knowing what to do is not that hard
You can ask, find out, learn, get schooling, get experience. We major on knowledge and knowing what to do because it’s easier and definable.
You can learn to do a budget. You can count calories. You can make a list of books to read. You can know those things and be broke, overweight, and unread.
When I was part of a morning radio show, we were interviewed on our philosophy and approach to our job. I was amazed at the knowledge that came out of our mouths -- we really were exprienced, knowledgable, talented morning guys. The interviewer was impressed. We were impressed. But we weren't doing any of the stuff we talked about. We knew how, we knew what, we wanted to do it, we meant to do it. But we didn't.
The will is the hard part
For example, here are two easy to answer questions. You could ask these in any decision, big or small, about how to spend this moment, hour, day:
1. Is this contributing to what I want to accomplish?
2. Could this potentially hinder what I want to accomplish?
Pretty easy to answer those most of the time; it's yes or no. And you can see how the answers could keep you on track any time you make a decision. Answer those questions and you've got valuable knowledge.
But in a million years would you make it a lifestyle to ask those questions and then live by the answers? Even though you know your life would be better?
I don’t, even though I see great value if I did. I don’t have the will.
Read this next thing and see if you don’t agree that it's wise. But do you have the will to apply it?
We defeat our own purposes when we spread ourselves too thinly, striking everywhere and hitting hard nowhere – Vance Havner
Inside I do a fist pump. It's genius. I agree with it.
Do I follow it? Or does it stay knowledge that I can quote even though I don't do it? If you don't do it, it's not finished. We let each other get away with unfinished knowledge all the time, and we're impressed with each other! Look how much he knows!
Those two questions and that quote are not the point. The point is...
If knowledge is the cake batter, your will is the oven
How impressive is cake batter?
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