Being IN vs. INTO

I came across a great article this morning by Professor Rob Gilberts that pretty much sums up a major key to success in whatever it is that you are doing.

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You’ve heard the old saying, “You only get out of something what you put into it.”
As a professor, I see the truth of this statement every day.

Every person on my class roster is “in” school. This means they’ve registered for courses and they’ve paid their tuition. But the sad fact is that even though all of them are “in” school, very few of them are “into” school. Most of them are “in” a major, but very few of them are “into” their major. Many of them are “in” clubs, student government, and sports, but very few of them are “into” these activities.
The difference between success and failure in school or in anything else is the difference between these two words:

IN vs. INTO

“In” means you show up physically.
“Into” means that you’re totally absorbed -- physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The following quote describes the “into” quality best . . .
Painters paint with their hands.
Artists paint with their hands and minds.
But masters paint with their hands and minds
through their hearts.

Just because you go to class does not necessarily mean that you’re a student.
Just because you can sing a song does not necessarily mean that you’re a singer.
Just because you sell something does not necessarily mean that you’re a salesperson.
Just because you’re IN a profession does not necessarily mean that you’re a professional.

Successful students, singers, salespeople and other professionals have developed the skill of being absorbed physically, mentally, and emotionally. Being IN something doesn’t mean you’ll get anything OUT OF it. The only way you’ll ever get anything OUT OF it is if you are totally INTO it.

4:13