When it comes to achieving any significant goal, tools can make or break your success. Some tools are simple and intuitive, like a pair of shoes for walking or an Apple computer (it’s a cult…). Others require training, like learning how to use a piece of complex software. But no matter how advanced or basic, tools don't have any inherent power to guarantee success. What makes a tool useful is if the user knows how to use it effectively. A top-of-the-line kitchen with amazing appliances and gourmet tomatoes won’t turn a novice cook into a Michelin-star chef overnight. Practice makes perfect, and that’s always been true.

The key to using tools effectively is seeing how they fit into the process of achieving your goals. That’s why people go to the gym. All the tools they need for fitness are conveniently located in one place. From weights to treadmills, the entire place makes it easier to focus on working out. Even being surrounded by motivational music and like-minded people enhances the experience. On the other hand, your home gym will likely collect dust because, well, home is for relaxation, not working out. Your mind associates the home with certain things and the gym with other things. Tools deserve a good environment; otherwise, they won’t trigger action.

But getting back to understanding the philosophy of tools. The more complex the tool, the steeper the learning curve. Photoshop, for example, is a powerful tool for graphic design, and it can do some incredible things. However, mastering Photoshop requires more than just double-clicking on the program. It requires a basic knowledge of typography, color theory, the rule of thirds and the principles of design. The same could be said about smartphones. These mini-computers in our pockets can perform a huge range of tasks, but most people only use them to check Instagram. This is a perfect example of why just having a tool isn’t enough. The goal should be learning to use it fully. Take artificial intelligence, for example. ChatGPT can be incredibly powerful, but only if you know how to ask the right questions. Similarly, YouTube and Google are both full of information, but you need to know what you’re looking for.

What are these “tools” of which we speak? The way I see it, there are three main categories of tools. First, there are physical tools — things like pots and pans or a lawnmower. You can stub your toe on these types of tools. The second category is digital tools, such as software or apps. These require a computer or internet connection, and it’s impossible to touch or smell them. Finally, the most intangible of tools involves information. This just happens to be the most valuable type of all. After all, we live in the information age, so knowledge is the best tool for helping you achieve almost any goal.

All types of tools should be used to build, to grow – to thrive – not to maintain the status quo. Thriving is a mindset — it means learning how to use tools in a way that propels you towards success, not just survival. In this regard, one of the most universal and adaptable tools is money. Sure, money is meant to buy things. But the true power of money is its ability to create opportunities. With the right strategy, money can be used to create more money, which means more opportunities. Like any other tool, you need to learn how to use money as a tool. There are countless lessons that can help you build wealth, but they require time, knowledge and discipline to master.

A tool can also be a strategy. Think of a workout routine, a meal plan, or a step-by-step business proposal, strategies can be a type of tool that helps you achieve specific outcomes. There are online courses, mentors, capital providers, weathered entrepreneurs, professors, coaching programs and masterminds ready to teach almost any skill or strategy you can think of. But the thing about strategies is that once you have set it out, the only way to achieve it is to walk the path. Unfortunately, studies show that less than 3% of people who attend conferences or buy self-help books ever implement what they learn. That’s a tragedy.

All my tools are only useful because I read about how to wield them. This leads me to another point: books can be invaluable tools. I read dozens of books about marketing, personal development, business strategy and ever parenting, each one pushing me closer to my goals. I also get inspired by watching debates and discussions on politics and sports. Often, I’ll pretend to be on the other side of the argument, thinking through the ways I might respond if challenged in that way. These conceptual tools feed help me sharpen my skills and develop new ideas.

What’s unique for me is that I also have tools that help me manage my disability. I use an electric wheelchair to get around, specialized chairs for the shower, grab bars and other adaptive devices. These tools allow me to maintain a level of independence, which is crucial for my goals. Perhaps you don’t need tools like these, but if you look around you’ll probably notice how some of your tools are unique to your personal challenges and ideals. This is true of everything, from wheelchairs to chemotherapy, which, while difficult in the short run, can save lives in the long term.

Personally, I have way too many tools. I have Apple computers and others which use Microsoft and Google’s software suite. I also manage cameras and editing software while also dabbling in social media advertising tools. I run a website and funnel all my marketing leads through a specialized program. It all sounds so complicated – because it is. Keeping track of my tools and how they fit into the daily workflow is a challenge. It took me years to set up my film studio, for instance. But it was essential for me to achieve my goals.

Ultimately, tools are just one part of chasing a goal. They’re only as effective as the effort and understanding you put into using them. By learning to master the tools available to you — whether physical, digital, or knowledge — you can transform your life and achieve your goals.

Said differently, tools are powerful, but they aren’t magical. The real magic happens when you master the tool. As the old saying goes, you’re not paying a builder to swing a hammer; you’re paying him to know how to swing a hammer. It takes careful practice to use tools effectively. Organization is equally important for using tools correctly. A surgeon needs their tools ready and in the right place, because every second counts. A chef receiving a new dinner order doesn’t want to waste time searching through drawers for their knives. Likewise, those knives must be always kept sharp. There’s a lesson there, too.