Application Is Essential

Essential is defined as extremely important or absolutely necessary. While application is the action of putting something into operation. The reason for putting forth these definitions first is hopes of dispelling some half truths we’ve all believed. “Knowledge is power” comes to mind this morning. We’ve probably heard this old adage as it’s been around since 1597 and is attributed to Sir Francis Bacon.

Centuries ago we didn’t have the internet. Centuries ago we didn’t have smartphones. During those times we couldn't pick up our phone and search the entirety of human knowledge within seconds. It may have been true then, but today, I would pose it’s quite different. Today I would propose that we all have knowledge. If we all have knowledge and knowledge is power, then none of us do.

In my experience it has nothing to do with what you know. My knowledge avails me little to nothing if not applied. If I were a Financial Advisor, which I was, and didn’t put the knowledge into operation, the knowledge was not power. The knowledge availed me little to nothing without its application. Here’s an example that’s not so personal. We all probably know how to tie our shoes, but if we don’t apply that knowledge we’d be walking around in tennis shoes with untied laces.

It is extremely important to put our knowledge into operation. It’s essential or vital or paramount. All the knowledge in the libraries around the planet mean nothing if not applied. Now we can perform a simple search with an active internet connection and get what we’re looking for. However, without applying what we know, the knowledge isn’t power. It just exist in our minds and that’s about it.

Think about your knowledge. What skills and traits you possess. Those skills, that knowledge that’s specialized in nature. Those things that could be valuable to someone else. To another person, another business or organization that if applied by you, would be valuable to them.

Today, Wednesday, June 5, 2024, I am grateful that:

Gary and I spoke earlier. It’s his birthday. I knew it was in June, but couldn’t remember the day. So I kept calling until we spoke and he told me today. Family by choice, not by blood is still family, in my humble opinion.

I’ve been learning a new platform. It’ll allow me to serve more people in a shorter amount of time. That’s leverage. That’s an accelerant. That’s the kind of thing I’ll need to discover, learn, and apply moving forward.

I’m able to see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. I’m nearing the completion of assemblage of this puzzle. It’ll lay the foundation for the next few years and without a proper foundation an edifice can not stand long. I can see how so many of the pieces fit together to form my base and from this base of operations the remainder of the plan springs forth to serve my fellows.

Assess your specialized knowledge. Write down those things you posses that you do exceptional well.

Now review your list. If it’s short, great. If it’s extensive, that’s great too. The list is what’s important, not the length.

If your list is empty, write a list of things you really enjoy doing. Now, think of how you can learn a

This is the first part of the entry.