“I know how you did that!”

It was the common reply to a magic routine, usually given by someone who thought they knew what was going on. The explanations were always much craftier than what actually happened, so they became entertaining.

Other times, that response came because I (in magician terms) flashed the secret. Nothing I could do about this one as it was entirely my fault for spoiling the surprise.

However, every so often, someone would know how it was done because they researched it at one point. There was always a smug look on their face as they proudly could tell everyone how easy the method was and they could explain it all.

In those instances, I would shrug my shoulders and offer them the opportunity to demonstrate. 

In ten years, not a single person took me up on that offer.

Thanks to the proliferation of information, there is an illusion knowing how something is done (or how it works) equates to being able to do it. Yes, knowledge is the first part of it, but I would rather have a roofer with twenty years experience fix my shingles rather than someone who has spent hours watching videos on how it’s done.

Many people want to tell me how to invest based on their knowledge. When pressed about their own financial situation, the conversation immediately pivots. Of course it’s easy to give financial advice when your own money isn’t at stake.

I stopped taking writing advice from people who haven’t made it their career for twenty+ years. The number of best selling authors who disappear after ten years is so common, it’s hard to keep track.

The number of mid-list authors who disappear after five is staggering.

I don’t take teaching advice from those who haven’t successfully implemented their suggestions in a real classroom.

Lots of people have advice and our world has made it easy to be well read on the knowledge behind said advice. However, having the knowledge isn’t the same as having the skill.

Building the skill requires an incredible amount of discipline and hard work. It’s probably why so few are willing to do it.