Happy Wednesday!!! This week, we’re exploring “learning.” On Monday,”learning to learn” was named as a super competency. Today, let’s explore WHAT to learn.My niece and I were talking about this topic and I was struck by her description: “In the past, the attitude in learning institutions was ‘You’re lucky to be in room.’ But now ~ with the internet ~ I get to be in every room. So I have to decide what to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to.” (Remember, in the problem space of abundance, the skillset required is the capacity to discern.)
So here we are again, facing “The Omnivore’s Dilemma.” When faced with unlimited options, what do you choose?
The Paradigm Shifting Professionals I track are making a distinctive choice…Although they can learn about anything in the world, they’re choosing to spend the majority of their time LEARNING ABOUT THEMSELVES.
This feels wise! Why? Wisdom traditions throughout the ages have urged us to “Know Thyself” and given us tools and practices to help us in this pursuit.
But in exponential change, knowing thyself may be more than a “nice to have.” It may be a key to our survival. Margaret Wheatley explains:
“Self-reference is the key to facilitating orderly change in the midst of turbulent environments…When the environment shifts and the system notices that it needs to change, it always changes in such a way that it remains consistent with itself.
When an organization knows who it is, what its strengths are, and what it is trying to accomplish, it can respond intelligently to changes from its environment…The presence of a clear identity makes the organization less vulnerable to its environment, it develops greater freedom to decide how it will respond.” (Click here for full quote.)
Knowing ourselves ~ as individuals and organizations ~ is essential to adapting and thriving in a rapidly changing world.
Are you prioritizing time to get to know yourself? If so, what practices/resources are you finding helpful? Some of my favorite practices for learning about myself include:
- Meditation and mindfulness practices, yoga (help me self-connect and develop awareness of my awareness)
- Journaling and getting clear about my goals and values, needs and feelings.
- The Work by Byron Katie
- Nonviolent Communication (The framework of observations, feelings, needs and requests, are great for improving self awareness and helping me identify my needs as drivers of my behaviors.)
- Working with therapists, coaches and mentors, as well as learning within relationships with people who self-aware and self-responsible.
Works Cited:
Wheatley, Margaret. “Leadership and the New Science” p 83-86.
