Even though I have a list of things to write about (even if that’s no obvious from my recent lack of activity), I was struck by a thought this afternoon. A simple thought, but one which bares repeating, and study.
It has to do with “knowing verses doing”, and how valuable experience truly is.
Backtracking a little bit… I’ve been a programmer, and computer guy since *before* the public Internet, before hard drives were common (get this: I remember the launch of the first 5 megabyte hard drive under $1000!), and even back to punch cards (don’t ask). Computer knowledge usually sticks to my brain without effort. Each time I do something new on one of these machines, I learn a bit more about them, and how the code was written behind the fancy graphical interface.
Every bit of this knowledge helps me solve new problems in much less time than I would otherwise.
Big deal, right?
YES! It is a big deal!
Why?
Because…
Reading about something does not make you an expert at it.
Studying, and passing a test does not make you competent to handle real world situations.
ONLY doing something, and refining your hands-on knowledge will bring you success in any en devour you choose.
My recent experience configuring a computer device reminded me of this. The manual was almost worthless the user interface was worse, and there were few clues as to why the desktop computer wasn’t talking to the device. If I’d been a regular computer user, I’d be completely stuck.
Google searches and the manufacturer website were useless, and wasted time.
I had to defer to a few brain cells which held priceless information on how things worked inside the computer to come up with a solution. This information came by way of more hardware and software installs than you’d care to imagine. Not the easy ones, either.
My point is…
- if all you do is read about things
- if you already know everything you read
- if you just need more things to study (need more info to continue)
- if you just have to find the *perfect* situation
You will never move forward. Book knowledge is a great start, but is nowhere near enough for success… You actually have to take action and do something to acquire the tools for success. Think of it this way, after reading a manual, and studying, could you competently:
- swim?
- drive?
- perform surgery?
- poll vault?
- program a computer?
- play a musical instrument?
- write a song?
- write great sales letters?
- design a website?
- find financial freedom?
- find your soul mate?
Do you get the basic idea behind this? You have to take action, and learn from those actions to succeed. There is no other way. It’s simple, too… just start experimenting, and performing. You can make it a game if you want.
Just get the experience somehow! NOW!
Quit waiting for the perfect time (it never will). Think back to any time you may have spend not-doing something. Then think about what might have been if you’d just done something, anything, to progress your hands-on experience. Where might you be now instead?
Uh huh. It will probably be an eye opener.
I’m curious what are you prepared to do.. OR any experience you’ve had with the above thoughts… Just drop me a note in the comments section below.
Be well,
Tim
PS. Check out Jeannette’s site at http://goodvibeblog.com/ for some more great thoughts on life success. I recently became acquainted with her blog, and highly recommend it.
Popularity: 100% [?]
I live in Reno, NV with my wife Careen, and the ever so talented kitty named Milo. Programmer by trade, web surfer and learner for fun, I have a ton of interests, and you'll hear about each of them in time!
As the old saying goes, experience is indeed the best teacher.You are exactly right, no one will teach you all the ropes in your craft but you.
Nice post!
Chloe said it excellently in the comment above. I sometimes find myself in the company of ‘teachers’ in my alma mater who joined teaching right after finishing their course. No industry experience. Their ignorance of industry standards and trends is starkly apparent. Sadly, they spend very less time in familiarising themselves with the industry trends and advances. What will the students learn from them? I’m saddened by this ‘blind lead the students’ practice.
omg this post is so true! experience is everything.
Hi Tim,
I completly agree with you.
Nothing beats hands real experience.
My friends sister will soon have a masters in business marketing, and is boasting about being able to lecture at university to up and coming business & marketing students yet the only business & marketing she knows is working for a web design company making tea. Everything she knows is learned from the books. Her lecturing to students from her book knowledge, is like the blind leading the blind.
How true! Reading about something, passing a test etc.. do not make you expert. You truly have to DO it yourself. I can relate with college. It wasn’t until I graduated and got a real job when I was fully able to implement whatI learned.. so very insightful post. Made me reflect back on the old college years… Thanks so much!
Hi everyone! Thanks for the comments.
Achat: It could be that the hint of nostalgia was there, though not consciously. Certainly when there are fewer of life’s day-to-day obligations and concerns, it can seem easier to “do”. I’m beginning to think that some of these added distractions are traps we put ourselves into, rather than ones that are inevitable. Trick is figuring out what to do about them! I’ve got some ideas…
Fred: Actually it makes perfect sense (unfortunately), since most people have so many built in habits and “addictions” that they equate “resource” with productivity–regardless of results (lack of). That’s why little experiments and practice can begin to turn things around.
Eric: GREAT to hear from you. I look forward to our upcoming (renewed) conversations!
Jeannette: You are very welcome for the mention and link, it’s well deserved! Yup, I think practice (aka: action) is the most important thing in what we are learning and doing. Why else would they call it “practicing” medicine, law, and so on, if it wasn’t extremely important.
What a treat to find a link to my blog at the end of this great piece, Tim! Thanks for that thumbs up!
But what I was really going to say as I finished reading your post was that I know SO many people who have READ about deliberate creation and yet don’t PRACTICE it.
And you’re absolutely right – the value comes in the DOING of it. In practicing it, in playing with it. In getting REAL WORLD experience with it – rather than just hearing others talk about it or reading the experts’ version of what it’s like.
Excellent post. Keep up the great work!
And thanks again for the link.
Thank you for submitting your article to The Weekend Quick Picks:2nd Edition.
Hi Tim,
Been a long time, Buddy! Wondering how you’re doing?
Thought I should say HI since I’ve landed on your site.
It’s great to see you keeping up with the good work of injecting “successful” insights into other people’s life.
I’ve been busy with my latest passion of “Graphics Design”, I’ll catch up with you once I’ve lessen my loads of work.
Hope your email is still working… See you!
Eric
You are so right Tim. Too often I see people who are trying to be Internet Marketers just reading reading about how to make money online. However, the vast majority of these people never act on what they learn. It doesn’t make sense.
Hi Tim
Totally agree, you’ve got to dive in at the deep end for most things – this way you also work out if you like it or not.
I am also spotting a hint if nostalgia in your post…a lot of things are easier to “do” when you are younger and have fewer cares in the world (??)
And of course when you are slightly older (I’m 32 with 1 son of 9 months) it becomes more difficult to “do” as you have less and less time to yourself, although why not class “looking after your kids” as a “do” anyway?
Take care