Sharing Resources to Help You Grow Personally, Professionally & Financially

Sometimes it helps to get a little dose of encouragement—along with a good cup of coffee!—to start the day. Today we discuss wisdom.

Hopefully, the message below will help you get off to a good start for the week. Please feel free to forward the newsletter along to others who you think would benefit from the content.

Wisdom

My mind thinks in terms of models and patterns. One mental model I have developed is the following:

• Data
• Information
• Knowledge
• Wisdom

In my mind, this model describes the learning process extremely well.

We start with the input: the data. The data is quantitative and qualitative and shaped by our personal experiences. While truth is absolute, our perceptions shape the way we see the data.

Each of us processes the data and turns it into information. The information that I receive is different from the information that you receive, as we are each unique. Once we have the information, it’s time for the next step.

Transforming the information into something actionable is what I would refer to as knowledge. Information by itself is rarely useful. We need to be able to use the information that we obtain. Knowledge is the ability to effectively wield information.

Knowledge is the ability to effectively wield information.

Over time, our knowledge increases, and we become more adept at quickly moving through the “data, information, knowledge” process. We develop wisdom. If we fail to develop wisdom, we fall into being what—while politically incorrect—I call a “fool.” Unfortunately, in certain areas of life, I’ve lingered WAY too long in the “fool” state / have delayed transforming my knowledge into wisdom. But hey, as they say, better late than never!

That brings us to this week’s question:

• Are you moving on the path to wisdom?

Thanks for sharing a bit of your time with me this Monday morning.  

Have a great week!

Blog post from this past week:

Monday Morning Motivation - Adversity