The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur

October 19Knowledge Without Wisdom

You may disarm the hands, but not the brains, of a people, and to know what should be defended is the first condition of successful defense. Simple as it may seem, it was a great discovery that the key of knowledge could turn both ways, that it could open, as well as lock, the door of power to the many.

James Russell Lowell—“New England Two Centuries Ago,” Literary Essays (1865)

Many would claim that the key to success in business is knowledge.

Ah, but only knowledge, without wisdom, the wisdom that consistently results in appropriate action, is a trap.

Knowledge is found in a story of how one of your entrepreneurial heroes, aided by the insight of hindsight, achieved their version of success. (Spoiler alert: it didn't really happen like that. They most likely tried something and eventually pivoted into the thing that they were doing on the side that turned into the real winner—research Slack and Flickr cofounder Stewart Butterfield.)

Wisdom is found in knowing that your story is not their story, and though you may learn valuable lessons from their advice, it is foolish to think they know what's best for your journey.

Apply wisdom, your truth, to everything you take in and your “key of knowledge” will open the congruent door.

See, the real truth is, you can become one of your entrepreneurial heroes.

Challenge Question

1. What idea are you holding on to that's keeping you from thinking bigger?