development

Offer a New Map Instead of a Compass

Often we don’t have leverage to change someone’s mind.

If someone doesn’t know how to use a compass, they likely won’t pick one up.

But if they already are holding a compass, we can show them a new map. Maybe an updated version or a different territory.

Sometimes someone may not have a compass but we can point out the mountains in the difference. They may not have a compass to get there but we can meet them where they are and help towards some change.

When someone is ready to learn to use a compass, we’d better not bombard them with the map but teach them to use the compass first. Being ready to also meet them where they are.

We need to know our audience and build what we offer based on that or be brave enough to say, “This isn’t for them.”

What is the compass needed to navigate?

What is the new map you could offer?

Who is your audience?

Seth Godin discusses this idea at the end of this podcast in the question section.

Motivated by the Surprise

When we face a truly unique or difficult challenge, we are unsure of the outcome.

Some challenges, we can be certain how they will end and in those situations are they really challenges?

I’m looking for more challenges in which, I’m uncertain of the ending. I’m uncertain of the solution. I don’t know the right answer.

This propels a new motivation inside of me. One of anticipating and seeking out the surprise.

As I work towards solving a problem with very unknown outcome or path, the surprise is exciting and engaging. At the end of a working session, I will see something anew. See the world a different way. Realize a truth about myself I did not know. Distill a solution which feels original to me.

To me, these are the challenges worth investing in. Not to overcome fully but to seek the surprise and grow from it.

I heard of this idea on a podcast featuring Austin Kleon where he describes his favorite part of the creative process being the surprise during that creativity.

Our Illustrative Future

What attribute should I develop?

What skill gap should I train?

What box am I not checking off?

Which competency am I low on?

What habit can I form to grow?

All these above questions are not nearly illustrative for the future of work and the future of self development.

It won’t matter that you can check off the boxes or show well rounded nature.

Habits are the development plan of yesterday. (Not that they can’t be a start but they definitely are not enough on their own)

What is the development plan of tomorrow?

It is bound to carry with it vagueness.

The boxes are being blown up. We don’t need more checklists, we need innovation. We need resilience. We need ownership.

I am not searching for the habits to build nor teach but what am I searching for? I’m not sure yet.