In all seriousness, I love learning new ideas about all kinds of topics. When I went through my separation years ago, I probably owned at least half of the self-help section in my own personal library! From the conversations I have with others, I know I am not alone in this situation.

Beware of falling into the information trap! There are such vast amounts of information available to us nowadays – in books, in trusted friends, in community groups, and, of course, online. Yet one of the biggest mistakes I see people making is assuming that getting more information alone is going to solve all of their problems.

Information, tips, strategies and new resources are a wonderful thing to be sure. But collecting tidbits of information, much like a squirrel gathers nuts for the winter, is absolutely useless until you put it into action.

Information without action makes your growth and transformation an academic exercise. It’s only when you take action upon the information you’ve learned, so that you get real-life experience is when you transform information into true wisdom. We learn by DOING, not by reading books or attending a workshop now and then. Lasting change and the ability to make conscious and empowered choices comes from taking consistent, inspired action.

Here are a few tips you can put into action so you can transform information into wisdom!

Create a structure

To road-test your newly acquired knowledge into your life, you need to create some kind of new structure. You get to decide what structure is most needed for you. Block off time in your day to reflect and journal. Make a list of the insights you’ve received and how you will incorporate them into your life. Find an accountability buddy you can work with so you can share your new goals and have them ask you about your progress towards them on a regular basis.

Find a Tribe

Moving through challenging times is much easier if you can do it with the support of like-minded and like-spirited people. Find your tribe, who understand where you’re coming from and are willing to hold the highest vision for you.

Practice Makes Perfect

Put the information you’ve gathered into action right away. Implement that new time management system. Practice the powerful conversation tips you learned. Consistent, daily baby steps will get you better, long-lasting results than going on a binge every now and then with new activity. You learn by doing – so get doing!

Less Input, More Output

If you’re still wanting to grab that next book or sign up for yet another seminar, stop. Try on this mantra that I learned from one of my mentors: “Less input, more output.” Reduce the amount of incoming information clutter so you feel less overwhelm. Focus on using and implementing what you already have, before you go hunting for more.

Success Strategist, coach and best-selling author, Carolyn B. Ellis, is the founder of ThriveAfterDivorce.com, created for divorced people who want to stop struggling and start thriving. To get free tips on every aspect of living through a divorce, from legal issues to single parenting to getting back into the dating world, visit www.ThriveAfterDivorce.com.