Do you remember these catchphrases of ’70s and ’80s? Information is Power, and Think Again?
Those were the days of the late ’70s when the two “Steves” proposed the future of personal computers.
Information was power because not too many people had access to information, and those who do, ruled.
Educational institutions ruled the world.
Governments ruled the world.
Religions ruled the world as these institutions possessed vital information that the ordinary “lay people” could never have.
Today, information is everywhere. You can access almost any information you want as long as you can satisfy two requirements:
1. A machine capable of accessing the Internet.
2. Internet.
You and I are not starving for more information; we are actually overloaded with it. And this is the sad part, some data aren’t useful.
A critical skill is needed in order to sift through the tonnage of data that fills our brains, our hard discs and our cloud services. This critical skill I am talking about is judgment.
Judgment comes from thinking, and this is where the challenge comes up.
Helen Keller says, “People don’t like to think. If one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant.”
This is true. However, this quote presupposes that people have the capability to think but refuse to. This may not be the case today.
Many young people are not thinking but ‘feeling’ their way through life. This isn’t exactly a good thing. Technology has equipped us to churn out more results and, in turn, has created an environment wherein we are expected to produce more at faster speed. The thing about this is that we may develop a bad habit of reacting without careful thinking.
The traffic conditions in our country do not help either. Life becomes stressful as we suffer inside our vehicles mindlessly listening to music, answering SMS, and playing digital games or watching digital movies instead of studying things that enrich the mind and spirit.
We are busy almost all the time. I do more than 300 talks a year. As of this writing, I am near the 300th mark. Oftentimes I have to travel out of town and out of country for engagements. How do I manage all these?
My key is to simply set aside a time to properly start the day. I do it by doing Scripture meditation and reading books. I also strictly adhere to my yearly sabbatical study and I do serious reflection on business and life issues.
I do all these to fill my mind and soul with inspiration so I can pass it on to others.
You might be thinking that you are trapped in a cubicle prison, stuck with the everyday work routine, and that your boss does not allow you the freedom to leave your work station. Take a quick walk around the office, find a quiet place or step outside for a few minutes. Taking a regular break from your work provides a fresh perspective for your mind and enables you to deal with your issues.
Judgment today is a very vital skill; it comes from discipline and careful thinking.
This year, I sent my three kids to Oxford University and enrolled them in RZIM’s summer course on apologetics under the tutorship of Dr. Ravi Zacharias. The investment certainly paid off in handsome dividends as all three of them became more engaged in serious book reading, critical thinking and careful analysis of issues that pertain to life and spirituality. The experience sharpened their minds and helped them through their personal lives as well as their businesses.
Do not live life based on emotions. Knowledge and wisdom are important. Fill your daily existence with careful reflection and skillful thinking about your work and life. This is how you develop creativity.
Playing digital games, watching digital movies or bombarding your ears with loud music will not make you wise.
Read books. Meditate on Scriptures. Be intentional in finding quiet time for reflection and careful thinking. This is no longer ideal, this is essential.
(Spend two life-transforming days with Francis Kong learning leadership and life skills as he presents Level Up Leadership on Nov. 18, 19 at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries, contact Inspire at 09158055910 or call 632-6310912 for details.)