Dare To Live Without Limits Week of 7/26/2021

The difference between wisdom and knowledge

There’s a big difference between wisdom and knowledge. Understanding this is a significant factor in how much you accomplish. What you know, and how you apply it, can be very different. Being wise is much more than being knowledgeable.
Knowledge is the accumulation of information through experience, observation, study, and investigation. Knowledge is more than opinion, conjecture, or consensus. Knowledge is provable and accurate.
Wisdom is the ability to apply your knowledge in order to improve your life, accomplish objectives, and attain goals. Wisdom is deciding what knowledge is most applicable to your situation and which isn’t. Wisdom is doing what works, while avoiding what doesn’t.
Knowledge without wisdom is wasted. Knowing something works is pointless unless it’s applied. How much you know doesn’t matter if you don’t have the wisdom to use it. True wisdom is using the right knowledge at the right time.
There are people who obtain advanced degrees but lack wisdom. And there are those who have a minimal amount of formal education yet are incredibly wise. Your objective is to acquire relevant knowledge and develop the wisdom to use it appropriately.
There are well established routes for obtaining knowledge. School, apprenticeships, on the job training, seminars, tutorials, books, and mentors are all effective. However, becoming wiser is less straightforward.
Wisdom requires discerning between that which is relevant to a particular situation and that which isn’t. All knowledge is not applicable to all circumstances. It’s not wise to speak or act in a manner which makes a situation worse.
Wisdom is doing what needs to be done in order to solve problems, overcome obstacles, and improve circumstances. Wise people are constantly on the lookout for ways to improve their lives and the lives of others.
Wise people think for themselves. They don’t blindly accept what they see, hear, or read. They only give credence to information which can be verified as true and accurate. Wise people question anything which doesn’t make sense.
Wisdom is thinking and evaluating before speaking or acting. Since learning requires listening, you should listen more than you talk. Ask questions to ensure your perception is accurate. Never assume you know everything. Jumping to conclusions is not a wise strategy.
Asking questions and listening are an effective way to learn about people. The more you know about them, and what they want, the better you are prepared to act intelligently. Helping others get what they want is a great way to get what you want.
Wise people accept others for who they are instead of trying to change them. Wisdom allows you to work with people instead of clashing with them. Ask others what they need instead of telling them what you will do. People are much more enthusiastic when they feel that they have identified a solution.
Step back and look at a situation from different perspectives. Changing your orientation is wise because it identifies alternatives which were previously not obvious. Also, looking at circumstances from someone else’s point of view helps you formulate a more effective plan of action.
Monitoring cause and effect is wise. When your approach is not providing the desired results, adjust your path. Success is not a linear process. There are twists, turns, and detours. What started as a great strategy may need to change as circumstances warrant.
Acquiring knowledge and wisdom is an ongoing process. There is always more to learn along with better ways of applying your knowledge. Maintain an open mind. Be willing to make positive changes as needed. With each passing day, you should become a little wiser.

NOW AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper.  2021 Bryan Golden