I heard of someone who recently lost over $175,000 in the stock market over the past 12 months. He just watched as it kept going down, down, down—trusting the advice of a small-town broker who, unfortunately, didn’t know much more than he did.

It breaks my heart because this loss was completely avoidable. We live in a time when information is available at our fingertips, yet so many people still make decisions blindly without taking the time to educate themselves.

In today’s world, we have no excuse for getting blindsided like this—not just in investing, but in every area of life.

Want to lose weight? Gain muscle? Break a bad habit? Improve your relationships? Help your kids succeed in school? Build a thriving business? The knowledge is out there. But here’s the key: You have to seek it out and then take action.

I know this firsthand.

There was a time when my life was in complete shambles—I was literally living out of my vehicle. No one expected me to turn things around, let alone succeed in a big way. But I did. And it was only possible because I committed to learning, applying what I learned, and refusing to settle for ignorance.

For nearly three years, I begged this guy to subscribe to investment newsletters, read financial reports, and educate himself. His response?

“I’m fine. The market will turn around.”

Now? He’s paralyzed by fear, afraid to put his money anywhere. That’s what a lack of knowledge does—it breeds fear and inaction.

For years, making money in the market was easy. But because he never expanded his knowledge, he knows just as little about investing today as he did 10 years ago.

And investing is just one example. The same principle applies to every area of life.

It’s not enough to rely on motivation or belief alone. You need knowledge, a solid plan, and the willingness to act on it.

Take Warren Buffett—arguably the greatest investor of all time. Why doesn’t he put his money into high-tech startups or internet stocks? Because they lack a long enough track record to prove they can weather different economic conditions. His approach is based on proven principles, not speculation.

The lesson here is simple:

If you want to succeed in something, learn from those who have already mastered it.

Don’t take relationship advice from someone who’s been divorced four times.
Don’t take stock tips from your neighbor.
Don’t take weight-loss advice from someone who struggles with their own health.

When I wanted to build my book business, I didn’t guess my way through it. I called successful people in the industry, reached out to my largest supplier, and tracked down their top distributors. Then I picked their brains, learning everything I could for over a year.

Within 12 months, I had built the largest business of its kind in the world. Not because I was the smartest, but because I sought out the knowledge and put it to use.

Was it hard work? Absolutely. But I have no regrets. The money came and went, but the skills, confidence, and belief in myself? Those remain.

It reminds me of a bodybuilder I once knew. He wasn’t just strong—he was perfectly proportioned. I asked him about his dedication to training, and he said something that stuck with me:

“I get to carry my trophy around with me forever.”

The same goes for any skill, any knowledge, any success you build for yourself.

Seek out the right knowledge. Apply it. And you, too, will get to carry your trophy with you—forever.

Today’s Winning Beliefs

✅ I grow and develop with every new experience.
✅ I use my knowledge to improve my life and help others.
✅ My confidence in my abilities increases daily.
✅ When I need to know something, I seek out the knowledge.
✅ I stay informed in areas that matter to me.
✅ I am worth the effort it takes to build my skills.
✅ I am my own greatest asset—and I act like it.