Limitless Monday – Information is king

I was reminded this week of a phrase that has remained perched on the tip of my tongue for many years. That phrase is, “Information is king.”

I was introduced to these wise words when I worked with a very talented executive who would spend long periods of time at his desk thumbing through company reports and other dry corporate documents and analysis. One time as I entered his office uninvited he reluctantly peered up from behind the thick report he was reading and smiled mischievously uttering the wise words I have held close to my heart ever since.

I was reminded of my old boss when a friend recently questioned why I frequented Twitter/X. It was a reasonable question to ask. Many believe that X is too closely entwined with its owner Elon Musk; perhaps it is.

However the fact remains it is a valuable source of information outside of political and social debate when used intelligently. Here’s why: There are countless communities covering most subjects, markets, and industries, and being part of a community can be a valuable source of information. From cryptocurrency to domain names, from stock trading to Jiu-Jitsu.

However the key is being disciplined when consuming information. Not all information is equal. There are two types of information: quality information and noise. It is only quality information that is king.

While being part of a community can be a source of quality information, some of the contributors will be a distraction, offering negative and unhelpful comments. Another distraction is when venturing beyond your community and reading posts covering the area most of us should be avoiding: political and social debates. By viewing and being foolish enough to respond, you are wasting precious energy and, of course, time, for this information is noise. Leave this pastime to those who have too much spare time on their hands. That’s not you.

What amazes me is that supposedly intelligent people are getting caught up in political and social debates. There are no winners, only losers. You will never convince anyone that you are right.

While you may agree with JK Rowling’s views on transgender issues, why is she even involving herself in such pointless debate? it’s an error to be arguing with people who are beyond redemption or re-education. Why argue with the bitter and ill informed when there is no reward, only risk and frustration.

Another area where noise is everywhere is in the world of influencers. Most so-called influences lack substance. They are only interested in extracting money in exchange for making an innocuous post to their followers. If you are a good-looking female and are happy to take pictures of yourself in various poses and locations, then it’s a career you may consider, although it is a crowded market.

However, as you would expect, where there is a lack of substance, there is also a lack of quality information. If you don’t believe me, join an X Spaces group to listen to some discourse in action. It’s not a place you go to learn valuable information, it’s a space for idle chit-chat about nothing in particular.

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The phrase “Information is king” relates to information that is going to help you in your mission, not distract you from it. Most of the information available today is noise.

My friend was correct in asking me why I wasted my time on X. What he wasn’t aware of, however, is that I am a disciplined consumer of information. I make a concerted effort to avoid being distracted by noise. Although it is an ongoing battle with one or two digressions.

Be a mercenary with how you utilize information. Avoid going down rabbit holes where you will come out with nothing but frustration and lost time which you will never earn back.

Today, focus on using social media as a tool to advance your goals. Be ruthless, and delete social media feeds which distract you from that. These soon-to-be-deleted tools are the source of many wasted hours. Hours you could be learning a new skill, a language, or reading a life-changing book.

Information is king because it helps you grow. It elevates you above your peers, the same peers who are spending hours reading posts on politics and social issues which they will never be able to change or influence. If you want to be the one who makes change, then you must use information intelligently. Ultimately, be a creator of information as opposed to being a consumer of it.

Happy Monday!

Banner Image: Information is king. Image Credit – Shirly Niv Marton