I feel that if my blog entry’s are going to be valuable to you, I need to read as much as I can about subjects of personal achievement and financial literacy. I feel that my job is to uncover, distill and select the most important points or concepts you may wish to know. My hope is that this information may be in some way helpful to you.

So, this weekend I read Tom Peters’ (famous for In Search of Excellence) book, Talent, and Spencer Johnson’s (famous for Who Moved My Cheese?) new book, Peaks and Valleys. Both of these books had some interesting ideas which I will share with you in future e-letters.

But today I want to address a point in a book I re-read this weekend, Tony Robbins’ Awaken The Giant Within. Robbins’ book, published in 1997, is a bit outdated in parts and yet there are some timeless insights. One that I totally subscribe to is this:

“I can’t overemphasize the power and value of gaining even one, single distinction - a sole piece of information – that can be used to change the course of your life.  … The exciting thing is that you never know when you’re going to get it! (In doing my research for this book) the reason I read over 700 books, listened to tapes, and went to so many seminars is that I understood the power of a single distinction.  …  It might even be something you already know. But for some reason, this is the time it finally sinks in and you begin to use it.”

I have always believed that, at times, the difference between success and failure can be one small point of distinction.  We all know that there is a lot of serendipity in life.  Oftentimes highly talented people linger in anonymity while less talented ones go to the moon. Sometimes the only difference between the two may be that the latter learned of an opportunity (that the former did not), and acted on it.

Success does not always go to the one who is most capable. Perhaps just as often, success goes to the person who runs down every possibility, acts on every single opportunity, and does everything in his or her power to obtain information that may move his or her career forward.

It is for that reason I hope to sooner or later send you an idea, a piece of information, or a lead to an opportunity that will help move your life forward. At least that’s what I am trying.

In any event, consistent with today’s message, here is today’s idea… whatever your chosen profession, goal or ambition, your chances of success are increased greatly if you make a critical part of your life learning. Learn everything you can about your field.  Learn from those who have been successful. Read, get tapes, network, go to seminars and meetings. The point is that YOU NEVER KNOW what piece of information or point of distinction is going to thrust you forward … and WHERE IT WILL COME FROM.

Jim Randel is the founder and co-author of The Skinny On™ series. His most recent book The Skinny On Credit Cards: How to Master the Credit Card Game is available at www.TheSkinnyOn.com.