One of the Don’t Die Principles of Responsibility, you teach what you need to learn, reared its pretty head yesterday as I reviewed Trevor Blake’s, The Physics of Success, Session 3 from The Intelligent Optimist. Session 3 was about delineating the difference between goals and intentions. In the middle of listening and taking detailed notes, I received this message from a former client and friend:
“I do have one question for you. Of the folks you have taken under your very large angel wing, what percentage have succeeded in “singing their song?” Lately I have begun to wonder how much of our habits, attitudes and approaches to life are so ingrained as to be almost impossible to change. Don’t mistake the observation as a rationalization! Just curious.”
Since I was deep into listening to Trevor’s perspective, and because my work and experience aligned with Trevor’s perspective, I could respond quickly…
You will have a great appreciation of this. I am sitting in a coffee shop, listening to a recording of a class on setting huge intentions. Just finished the section on the difference between goals and intentions…goals help achieve the small day to day stuff, develop discipline and help build self-confidence…however, to achieve big intentions, you need to set intentions knowing – not believing – it is possible to achieve them. Intentions are purpose led. So are you living on purpose or going after goals?
How many….50/50….those who lived for the outcome, not so much….those who became committed to what they want to do, be and have regardless of how illogical…did it….small example…successful business woman sold her business – giving up the fallacy she had to do something economic to be successful. She is joyfully raising her child and involved in all levels of her education from school support to room parent. She is living her purpose as she defined it. Another businessman created a goal to start another business just like the business he was in before. He succeeded at the goal, it was a great financial success — but then he quit. He realized he knew full well how to achieve a goal, but he had yet to find a deep life purpose.
Again, are you living on purpose or going after the same warmed over goals? :)…back to my class. Thanks for helping think about what I am learning — and teaching — again.
That is an example of teaching what your need to learn. We all do it, all the time. The challenge is to take note when someone asks you for advice or your opinion, so you really get the lesson for yourself.
Dr. Success Challenge: What lesson have you shared with someone today that was a lesson you needed to relearn?
Resources:
I found this article on why certain groups succeed interesting. Aligns with Trevor’s perspective also: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/26/opinion/sunday/what-drives-success.html
http://theoptimist.com/events/physics-success-trevor-blake/#!bablCG
