The Integral Business Development System

The “knowing-doing gap” often occurs because we confuse or fuse “knowing” and “learning”.

Knowing what to do is not the same thing as learning how to actually do it.

“Knowing” focuses on gathering information, while “learning” focuses on using that information, perhaps making mistakes along the way, figuring out how to adapt and adjust and try again, and so on.

Here’s an example that shows you in practical terms, how to shift from the “information gathering” mode to “applying and learning” mode, so you can actually accomplish what you want to.

A few years ago, I decided to expand my business. I decided that the most effective way to do this would be to get into internet marketing and eCommerce, since this approach would allow me to make the most of all my available resources, and be more productive with less effort.

So I researched, found and attended an excellent seminar on eCommerce, where I learned a lot of useful and practical information about these topics.

However, it took me about a year to actually start using this valuable information.

In some cases, it was because I didn’t know how to apply the information. In other cases, I didn’t know where to start, or what order to do things in. And sometimes, although I understood what to do and how to implement the concept, I had difficulty connecting it to, or finding an appropriate application for it in my business.

At this point, I was clearly suffering from the “knowing-doing gap”! Although I knew a lot, I was unable to fully use or apply this knowledge.

To close this gap, I started by looking at what was holding me up in each of the areas.

As I identified these “obstacles”, I looked for ways to remove or resolve these obstacles. This allowed me to make progress on that front.

Here’s the comprehensive list of ALL the things I needed to close my “knowing-doing” gap:

1. relevant and useful content in the form of concepts and principles
2. examples of how these concepts have been applied by other people (so I got an idea of how I might use them)
3. tools to help apply these concepts
4. step-by-step instructions on how to use these tools
5. “warm up” exercises to help me start using these tools and get familiar with them
6. support from people (to answer any questions, provide feedback, offer suggestions and ideas, etc.)

Imagine my delight then, when I discovered The System - Internet Marketing Education, by Ken McCarthy, a pioneer in internet marketing and eCommerce. In his Smart Beginners home study program, he provides ALL of these components! (For more details on this program, see below).

Within literally 3 days of getting this program, I began to get a clearer and more focused “big picture” about how to integrate internet marketing in my business, and what eCommerce components I could use in my business and how so.

I started filling in the gaps in my understanding, trying out small exercises, experimenting with the tools and applications, and experiencing shifts in results right away. And this is what helped close the knowing-doing gap — because seeing these little shifts and experiencing even the smallest changes encouraged and propelled me forward.

So what’s the point of this story?

Well, if you’re serious about accomplishing anything, the components listed above are all the things you need to help you succeed.

No matter what your particular “knowing-doing gap” is — whether it’s using the internet to promote your business; being more productive at work; being a better manager, leader, salesperson or business owner; leading a healthier life; whatever!) make sure you have or find all of these components.

Just gathering information is not useful by itself.

Jumping in and trying things out randomly is not necessarily productive either.

You need both: the theory and the application, the knowledge and the hands-on experience.