Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Do you know what you want, and how to get it? Will you apply yourself and your knowledge? Will you see it through? Are you ready to do it? Or will you just contemplate it?

What does that mean?
Let’s see a show of hands, how many of you know what you have to do, and are willing to do what it takes to become wealthy, happy, loved, or any other thing you desire in your life?

Odds are most of us know at least the basics of what we need to do. Most of us are also willing to do it, at least in theory. The question is how many of us are willing to both apply that knowledge, and do what it takes?

That’s what the quote is all about. We know, but we do not apply that knowledge. We say we are willing, but we do not actually do what is necessary. That’s not the way to get things done, is it?

The quote reminds us that knowledge is but the first step. The same for willingness. If we want results, we must apply, and we must do. Anything less, and we are just planning. While that is a useful first step, it doesn’t get the job done.

Why is taking action important?  
How many of us have plans for what we would do with a great sum of money, should we suddenly have such good fortune to receive a fortune? Yet we probably could attain that sum using the knowledge we have (or could acquire) and actually taking action.

People become wealthy all the time. Sadly, people also become poor just as often. Success leaves clues, and following successful people, or even getting one to mentor you, can have great benefit. We know this, but do we apply it?

Whether you seek fame or fortune, love or longevity, or something else entirely, there are ways to find the knowledge. But then it must be applied. The willingness may be present, but what is actually done?

Without action, without actually applying our knowledge and doing what must be done, we have nothing. I find it hard to imagine any of us have nothing in that category, right? We all have something to finish.

Where can I apply this in my life?
I believe this quote can be applied to any part of our lives where we are hesitating. Do we not have enough knowledge? Are we not prepared to apply our knowledge to the task? Are we willing to do what is necessary? Even if all of these are answered “Yes,” we still must take action.

How many projects, plans, or thoughts are trapped somewhere in that quote? Somewhere short of completed, that is? I know I have plenty in that condition. And I know know exactly where I stop moving forward. For me, it’s the doing that makes me stop.

For me, there is far more fun in the planning than in the doing. Yes, there are things I like to do, but most of the things I plan are just mental exercise. Take a moment and think about some of the things you haven’t done, and consider why you stopped.

Where along the path was it that you decided to stop working on each project? And remember, even the choice of not deciding is a decision. Is there a common thread to where you stop? Where do you tend to get before you come to a stop your project?

If there is a pattern, like I have, can you figure out what your stumbling block is, specifically? Mine is in the doing stage, and the why behind that is that once I have planned something and am certain I can complete it, it is almost anti-climatic to prove myself right.

What is the reason why behind your projects? It’s one thing to know what stage things go bad, but it will be hard to make adjustments unless you dig a little deeper and ind out why. And then ask why again. For me, do was the stop. Why? I was sure I could do it, once planned. Why? Experience, plus boring.

For me, I need to cut down somewhat on the planning simply for the sake of planning. What can you do to get things going, and get to doing your projects, plans, or thoughts? What can you do in general, and what can you do in specific about each project you considered?

While there will always be obstacles between you and the realization of your goals, you can help keep them to a minimum by trying to figure out what has been stopping you all these times in the past.

If you know what’s stopping you, and you apply that knowledge, all that is left to do is be willing to do what it takes, and then to do it. In short, if you don’t follow this quote, the remedy is simply to follow the quote. Pretty neat, right?
From: Twitter, @Smart_Quotes
confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johannwolf161315.html
Photo byEirik Newth

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