Be Startled! June-July 2007
Ray Bradbury, in the Afterword of his novel, Farewell Summer (2006) acknowledged, “Surprise is everything with me. When I go to bed at night I give instructions to startle myself when I wake in the morning. That was one of the great adventures in letting this novel evolve: my instructions at night and being startled in the morning by revelations.” In a similar manner, individuals striving for greatness are willing to be startled.
Seven years after beginning our inquiry into greatness, characteristics and attributes still continue to come forth clamoring to be noticed. We’ve noticed the consistant presence of an attitude that seems present in individuals striving toward greatness and missing in others: a willingness to learn; to “be startled” by new awareness and insights. We first became aware of this while monitoring the response to new ideas among those we’ve coached, counseled, and taught. Most often, individuals at or near the top of their field were open to new concepts, willing to hear new ideas, and willing to be challenged. We found the opposite to be true among those who, although good in their respective professions, were not generally acknowledged as great. These individuals were often defensive and obstinate; believing they already knew what there was to know. They approached every learning opportunity certain that they had the answer. There’s no startling them.
Individuals striving for greatness, however, conveyed their willingness to learn through: 1) an internal predisposition; 2) a malleable sense of self; and 3) inquisitiveness about new thoughts and ideas.
Regarding internal predisposition, we found that individuals striving for greatness approach life with a willingness and desire to learn. Although driven and focused, they’re nevertheless open to new possibilities and information. Many of us grew up accustomed to parents asking, “what did you learn today” and expecting an answer. Now that no one asks, it’s up to us to approach life with a predisposition to learning. At ASGMC, we’re committed to “be curious, not certain.” Following this principle means we put aside our certainty for the moment and become open to the possibility of what is new. Establishing this internal disposition helps us “see” learning opportunities. Otherwise, we’re blinded by our own self-aggrandizement to what others or new opportunities offer.
Along with an internal predisposition toward learning comes an increased openness to learning about self. To know oneself has always been viewed as the foundation of growth and development. If we believe we are complete, that there’s no more inner work to be done, we miss opportunities for development. Every interaction, every moment contains information that illumines the self. How we react, respond, and move forward provides valuable information about how others see us, how we see ourselves, and the possible disparity between these viewpoints. Our willingness to explore interactions with others strengthens our emotional IQ and also enhances our ego strength.
Finally our experience reveals that great individuals seek new ideas. They welcome new ways of doing things, thinking, or developing . They arm themselves with an attitude of, “I’ll learn or take away one new thing.” Because they approach learning encounters this way, they’re assured of discovering additional information or ways of doing something, even if it’s finding out what won’t work. Great individuals willingly engage in dialogue, read works outside of their comfort zone, and try to evaluate all information objectively to glean the most information out of it.
Want to enter the realm of greatness? Commit to an internal predisposition toward learning; become willing to hear new things about yourself and respond accordingly; try out new ideas and actions. Be startled by what you experience and become great.
The Greatness ProjectTM is researched and written by:
Scott Asalone & Jan Sparrow
Copyright © ASGMC, Inc. 2007
Some questions to consider as you reflect on “being startled.”
1. What is your internal disposition toward learning? Why?
2. What have you recently learned about yourself or about how others perceive you? (If you have not recently learned anything, why do you think that might be?)
3. Where in your life are you exploring new ideas or new ways of doing things?