Simple Practices That Will Change Your Life
If you had room to grow and didn’t, you’re a failure – regardless of your achievements.
David Shapiro said, “The purpose of life is to grow and give.” Only perfect people don’t need to grow.
We get closer to our potential when we grow, but we’re always less than we could be.
Learning is growing.
Four simple practices that will change your life:
#1. Say, “That didn’t work.”
You can’t learn if you can’t admit failure. This is one reason corporate culture becomes dumber and dumber. The need to be right is a fool’s path to oblivion.
Practice: Once a week say, “I’m trying to make this better, but it’s not working like I’d hoped. What suggestions do you have?”
#2. Try things.
What are you trying? I’m not talking about doing the same thing over and over. That kind of trying is dead-end. What are you trying that you haven’t tried before? How might you do old things in new ways?
Practice: Once a week intentionally try something new.
#3. Build relationships.
The greatest instrument of change, beyond personal commitment, is people. You become like the people around you. “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” Anonymous
Every person I coach changes me.
Practice: Spend unstructured time with people on your team. Have coffee or lunch. Don’t talk about work.
#4. Meet new people.
Over the years I’ve had scores of one-time conversations with new people. Only a handful were disappointing.
Meeting new people is inconvenient when you’re busy doing important work. Remind yourself that meeting new people changes you.
When YOU change, life changes.
Practice: Six times a year reach out to someone you would like to meet. (A video conference with a new person may change you.)
Tip: Put these simple practices on your calendar.
What practice might change you this year?
Dan
You are one of only a couple blogs I follow. I have shared some of your helpful posts with family and friends and they were always appreciated.
The word Leadership is often misused but your writing focuses on people and culture which along with leadership are the keys to any successful organization.
Hope you have a wonderful year end and a great 2022!
Brad
“You always say you have more wisdom, age and grace,” I once said to an older friend. I asked why. She (an LCSW of many years) replied that humans learn by making mistakes. So, she has been wronger, longer than I have! Don’t let your mistakes drag you down. Learn from them!
Here’s a tip for putting #3 in practice that I learned from a women I worked for two decades ago: At the end of the project, she would take us out to lunch with one rule: we couldn’t talk about the assignment during lunch. She connected with us and we connected with each other. Which was especially important because we were field auditors: we worked at the auditee’s offices and then moved on to our next assignment that generally had completely different people.
#5 Reflect Gratitude
Thank you Dan for your daily insights this year. Looking forward to ’22 .
One of your best posts, and that’s saying a lot. I especially liked, “When YOU change, life changes.” Many thanks, wishing you a very happy and successful new year! 👍😊
Building relationships will make your Work Team more successful and make your life much happier! Keep doing it and enjoy all these people for the rest of your life! Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year to all!!!
Classic Rockwell… short, but weighty, and actionable!