Have you heard the phrase, “Information is power?” Well, it's not true. It's not even close to being true.
The idea that “information is power” is misleading, and causes many people to create roadblocks to their own success. And it's about more than just the distinction that “information applied is power” – even that variation has problems. I'll explain how to transform the lead of “information” into the gold of “transformation” in this episode.
Spiritual Foundations You Have Everything You NeedSteve 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, “Ray, 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.”
I asked him, “Steve, how can you say that? You're extremely talented and succesful.”
“That'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.)”
Suddenly, a light came on in my head.
“Steve, it sure seems like you're aware of a lot things you don't have… your goal weight, your goal income, your dream house, the talent that so-and-so has…”
“Exactly!”
“What about what you do have?” I said.
He snorted.
“Yeah, I know, Ray. I should count my blessings.”
I smiled.
“That's a good idea,” I said, “But not what I was going to say.”
He seemed curious, so I pressed on. I quoted this to him:
“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.'” ~ Psalm 23:1 (NIV)
He skepticism returned.
“Yeah, but I don't have…” and he proceeded to make list of all the things he wanted, but didn't have.
I interrupted him gently,”So is the Scripture right, or are you right?”
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, “God is saying that from His perspective, you don't lack a thing.”
Steve said nothing.
“So if you lack nothing, what do you have, Steve? The Scripture also contains the answer for that.
“All 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.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)
Steve said, “I know that's true. So why am I so miserable?”
“Because 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.”
“So what do I do to to change that?” he asked.
I told Steve this…
“Steve, 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.”
“A 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, ‘Look at all the things I don't have. Time, money, peace, love, security…' Then you will find that to be what you experience.”
“But Psalm 23:1 says you ‘lack nothing.'”
“What if you replaced all your victim thinking, and victim-oriented self-talk ,with the Word of God over your life? Paul wrote to Timothy that Scripture is provided so ‘that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.' So say to your self: ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing! I am complete! I am equipped for every good work!'”
“In Romans 8:28 it says, ‘…we know that all things work together for good of those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.' So if it's not good yet, it's not done yet!”
I told Steve that every time one of these negative thoughts came to his mind, he should not speak 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.
“Ray 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!”
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…
“I 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!”
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, rolls 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: Information Is Not PowerPower is the “potential ability to do work”. Information is not power. Action is not power. Right Action is power.
You can become more powerful (accomplish more with 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 “information dump”. This will only overwhelm, and actually diminishes understanding.
- 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 – 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 in others who you are, not what you say.
What do we do with this? How does this apply in life, and specifically in our “information marketing” businesses?
- Give instructions, not explanations. Teach “how to”, not “what do”.
- 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 better decisions, make more decisions. Faster.
- Demonstrate and embody what you want to see in others. Don’t HAVE a message – BE a message.
Put these to work, and share your results below in the comment section,
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