“I don’t think much of a man who is not wiser today then he was yesterday.” – Abraham Lincoln
Author and speaker Andy Andrews in his book, Mastering the Seven Decisions, makes this very powerful statement: “We are where we are because of our best thinking, and if we want to keep improving, we must transcend that level of thinking, whether we intuitively know where to improve or are receiving good counsel from our inner circle of friends.” The fact is that you cannot improve yourself beyond your best thinking. Your best thinking may be good, but it is never good enough.
Success-Minded People can become misguided into thinking that all they need to know and all they need to learn in already in them. If that were the case, this world would be in a lot better shape than it is now. You have the ability to do great things if – and that is a big IF – you are willing to learn. And it is not just learning for learning sake, you have to be wise enough to know what you need to know. No one can know everything, no one needs to. But you must have the knowledge and understanding in the area you wish to succeed in. Former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli said, “As a general rule, the most successful man in life is the man who has the best information.”
Another problem that some Success-Minded People have is that they think they must learn in order to teach others how to be successful. That may sound like a giving thing but it is nothing more than pride. We think that we are the people in the know and that others must look to us for any information they need. To teach and train others is a good thing, but YOU must learn first. I remember several years ago when I was the director of a Christian counseling ministry. I did a lot of speaking and teaching that called for me to learn Scripture and principles so I could help others. After a few years I was at a crisis point. I told my Pastor I felt like a spiritual anorexic. I gorged myself on the Word of God only to throw it all up on other people and getting no nourishment for myself. I have to learn the truth of God in my own life first and then give it out to others.
What do you need to know to be better at what you are called to do? What do you need to learn that will help you move forward in life and be a better you? Jim Collins, author of the book Good to Great said, “How can we do better tomorrow than we did today?” Personal improvement is not becoming better than others it is becoming better than you. It is always based on you raising your level of knowledge and understanding. Believe me, if it isn’t working for you it will not work for others.
Proverbs 1: 2-5 says, “To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding, to receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; to give prudence to the naïve, to the youth knowledge and discretion, a wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.” The learning never stops for those who seek to succeed in life. Beware of the person who thinks they know enough. If that person is you, beware them all the more.
© 2011 John Patrick Hickey
