A Chinese proverb states, “words are like water, real action is gold.” Several people say that knowledge is power. But I say knowledge that is used is power. Applied knowledge is truly what is all about. Schools should also need to learn this as well. Do you think winners always win? No—but they always have the guts to do it. They may fall, but they get up. They learn the lesson and they move on. And so it can also be translated to your parenting skills. Get your kids to do things—and not just learn them. Most individuals at one time or another would tell you that they have a great and fantastic idea about something.

Some would even claim, “hey, that was my idea!” So what is the difference between winners as compared to the multitude of losers in the universe? Winners have the guts to go out an do it! We may call this emotional intelligence at the technical level. Could we say then that we are preparing our kids to be really successful? Are we even teaching this to our kids at home? Or are we teaching this to our children at school? Even just to attend interviews, to call a prospective employer, or send an application letter and resume to sell ourselves and present ourselves to the world out there all require the guts which so many of us lack.

I recall someone who was doing future trading sharing with a relative. “I know I am good at this—I am confident of decoding it. But the real challenge is how to control the emotional part of it. Not to move too fast or hesitate. To let go when I need to let go—to hold when I need to hold.” Then that struck deep into me as a magical learning experience. It is all about you at the end of the day. You could go out there, gather all that knowledge, get somebody to show you how but you have to do the very thing yourself.

This also came to my friend’s realization when he started to do his own business. Academically, he was great; he have always found studying to be easy and passing exams just a piece of cake. And as a teacher he was also doing well. But the true challenge came when he went out there into the ‘real world’. That demanded to him something bigger than merely teaching and learning. He realized that he was seriously lacking in the guts area and to think that’s the stuff rich and successful people are made of. Now, that’s the stuff that we should be helping to instill and foster in our children.

We should also remember that mistakes are a compulsory element towards a successful life. Mistakes are merely those things you have to experience to deserve that success which is just waiting for you right down the lane. Columbus made one great mistake—he was supposed to sail to the East Indies—instead he landed in the Americas. But now, does it matter-- not really, everybody thinks he did awesome.

Author's Bio: 

The author of this article, Amy Twain, is a Self Improvement Coach who has been successfully coaching and guiding clients for many years. Amy recently published a new home study course on how to boost your Self Esteem. More info about this “Quick-Action Plan for A More Confident You” is available HERE.