Gaining Wisdom

Motivation isn't enough
Much good can be accomplished if we have the right motivation. This motivation often spawns from a defining moment that triggers us to say, "Enough!"

However, motivation alone will not always get us to our goals-vision, planning, action, and discipline must be employed.

Skill-building
Imagine setting a goal to double your income in five years. There are many paths to achieving that goal-new job, start a business, write a book. You could choose dozens of actions to get yourself there.

Most likely, you'll need to learn and build new skills. You will, at least, need to improve and broaden your existing skills.

Balanced learning
To enhance our opportunities, we can spend our entire lives building our learning and wisdom.

Study a variety of subjects. Don't confine yourself to one area of learning. If you have good knowledge in several areas, you can adapt your career to meet the market demands.

Through balancing your study, you also become a more engaging conversationalist. You'll also better understand world events.

Building a library
Business philosopher Jim Rohn suggests that we should leave three important things behind for our families:
• our life in pictures
• our life written in our journals, and
• an abundant library

Building a library is a wonderful labor of love. We not only build up ourselves, but also our families as we build our libraries.

Areas of study
Rohn also suggests some sections for your library:

• History
• Philosophy
• Biographies and autobiographies
• Law
• Fine literature
• Accounting
• Economics
• Culture (Art, music, dance)

I would add the following sections:
• Spirituality
• Business
• Personal development

As we build our skills, seek balance in our learning, and build great libraries, we position ourselves for success in all areas of our lives: our personal lives, our family lives, our spiritual lives, our business lives, and our financial lives.

Balanced success through balanced learning.

Related Quotes:
"Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune."
Jim Rohn

"Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins."
Jim Rohn

"Never begrudge the money you spend on your own education."
Jim Rohn

"To earn more, you must learn more."
Brian Tracy

"None of us...knows enough. The learning process is an endless process. We must read, we must observe, we must assimilate, and we must ponder that to which we expose our minds."
Gordon B. Hinckley