#166: Information Is Not Power
Have you heard the phrase, \u201cInformation is power?\u201d Well, it's not true. It's not even close to being true.
The idea that \u201cinformation is power\u201d is misleading, and causes many people to create roadblocks to their own success. And it's about more than just the distinction that \u201cinformation applied is power\u201d \u2013 even that variation has problems. I'll explain how to transform the lead of \u201cinformation\u201d into the gold of \u201ctransformation\u201d in this episode.
Spiritual Foundations You Have Everything You Need
Steve was a coaching client who had everything going for him. He was a web designer with extraordinary talent, a great reputation, and a constant stream of people who wanted to do business with him.
But Steve didn't feel successful. One day he told me, \u201cRay, everybody thinks I'm a success, but I feel like a total failure. I haven't hit any of my goals this year, I'm feeling discouraged, and I'm not even sure my heart is in my work any more.\u201d
I asked him, \u201cSteve, how can you say that? You're extremely talented and succesful.\u201d
\u201cThat's just it, Ray. I don't even know if that's true. My work seems mediocre to me, when I compare it to (and here he named another well-know designer.)\u201d
Suddenly, a light came on in my head.
\u201cSteve, it sure seems like you're aware of a lot things you don't have\u2026 your goal weight, your goal income, your dream house, the talent that so-and-so has\u2026\u201d
\u201cExactly!\u201d
\u201cWhat about what you do have?\u201d I said.
He snorted.
\u201cYeah, I know, Ray. I should count my blessings.\u201d
I smiled.
\u201cThat's a good idea,\u201d I said, \u201cBut not what I was going to say.\u201d
He seemed\xa0curious, so I pressed on. I quoted this to him:
\u201cThe LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.'\u201d
~ Psalm 23:1 (NIV)
He skepticism returned.
\u201cYeah, but I don't have\u2026\u201d and he proceeded to make list of all the things he wanted, but didn't have.
I interrupted him gently,\u201dSo is the Scripture right, or are you right?\u201d
He stopped talking. I had thrown him a curve ball. I knew what he was thinking: he believed Scripture, but his experience wasn't matching up to it.
I said, \u201cGod is saying that from His perspective, you don't lack a thing.\u201d
Steve said nothing.
\u201cSo if you lack nothing, what do you have, Steve? The Scripture also contains the answer for that.
\u201cAll Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.\u201d
~ 2 Timothy 3:16\u201317 (ESV)
Steve said, \u201cI know that's true. So why am I so miserable?\u201d
\u201cBecause you keep declaring what you DON'T have! That's what your focus is on. And what we focus on tends to grow. As you focus on lack, you begin finding more and more of it in your life.\u201d
\u201cSo what do I do to to change that?\u201d he asked.
I told Steve this\u2026
\u201cSteve, God has given you everything you need to live the destiny you were created for. And He did create you to fulfill a great destiny! And the power to access that destiny is in God's Word.\u201d
\u201cA good place to start is by watching your self-talk. What are you saying to yourself all day long? If what you're saying is, \u2018Look at all the things I don't have. Time, money, peace, love, security\u2026' Then you will find that to be what you experience.\u201d
\u201cBut Psalm 23:1 says you \u2018lack nothing.'\u201d
\u201cWhat if you replaced all your victim thinking, and victim-oriented self-talk ,with the Word of God over your life?\xa0Paul wrote to Timothy that Scripture is provided so \u2018that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.'\xa0So say to your self: \u2018The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing! I am complete! I am equipped for every good work!'\u201d
\u201cIn Romans 8:28 it says, \u2018\u2026we know that all things work together for good of those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.'\xa0So if it's not good yet, it's not done yet!\u201d
I told Steve that every time one of these negative thoughts came to his mind, he should not\xa0speak it out loud, but should declare the truth of what God says about him. And that he should do so out loud, in a strong voice, as if he meant it.
We worked on his coaching plan for the next month, he promised to do as I suggested, and said he would report back on our next call (in 30 days.)
In less than 10 days, I got a call from Steve.
\u201cRay I'm so excited I couldn't wait to tell you what's happened! I began doing just was we agreed, and in just a few days things started changing. I started to have more confidence. I started waking up in the morning in a good mood. Two new clients signed on at the highest rates I have ever been paid. And I am much more happy now that I'm not constantly thinking about what I don't have!\u201d
What worked for Steve can work for you, too. Stop telling yourself stories about what you don't have. Remember that your words have power to change reality. So speak the truth of the Scripture out loud. Put it into your words, but base it on God's Word.
He has promised us we lack nothing, we are equipped for every good work, we have everything we need, and He is working things out for our good.
So say to yourself\u2026
\u201cI am called to God's purpose for my life! He is making everything work out for my good. I am equipped with everything I need to overcome any obstacle! I am more than a conquerer. God is giving me the desires of my heart!\u201d
I give you the same challenge I gave Steve: do this for 30 days, and report back to me here, and let me know what God has done in your life, as you focus on the truth that you lack nothing!
Tip Of the WeekWell, I have my voice back, and so the release of my brand new Copywriting Course, \xa0rolls on this week. You can get access to all the free stuff we're giving away, just by going to RayEdwards.com/formula.
Feature Presentation:\xa0Information Is Not PowerPower is the \u201cpotential ability to do work\u201d. Information is not power. Action is not power. Right Action is power.
You can become more powerful (accomplish more\xa0with less effort) by remembering these three points:
- The transmission of information does not equal the creation of understanding. If you need to get people to understand you, more is required than a mere \u201cinformation dump\u201d. This will\xa0only overwhelm, and actually diminishes\xa0understanding.
- More time does not usually create better decisions. Waiting longer, to get more information, usually results in poorer decisions, not better ones. Get the required information \u2013 then make a rapid decision based on your first reaction.
- The message you are preaching is not nearly as persuasive as the message you are living. You will replicate\xa0in\xa0others who\xa0you are, not what you say.
What do we do with this? How does this apply in life, and specifically in our \u201cinformation marketing\u201d businesses?
- Give\xa0instructions, not explanations. Teach \u201chow to\u201d, not\xa0\u201cwhat do\u201d.
- Gather the MRI (Minimum Require Information) to make a good decision. Guess at the MRI if you must. Sometimes you will be wrong. To make\xa0better decisions, make more decisions. Faster.
- Demonstrate\xa0\xa0and embody what you want to see in others. Don\u2019t HAVE a message \u2013 BE a message.
Put these to work, and share your results below in the comment section,
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