----------------------------------------------------
*** Unconscious Competence *** Graham White
----------------------------------------------------
As part of the
process for preparing material for the books I'm writing, I do interviews with
people I feel best represent the qualities we want to have in our lives.
The comment I hear most often is, "I don't know if I really have anything
to offer but you're welcome to interview me if you like."
I was recently
talking with the father of the Canadian skating legend Kurt Browning.
His comment captured the sentiment of understated accomplishment: "We
didn't really know what we were doing (as parents). We just did the best
we could like everyone else"
In an age when so
much information is available to us, we're unconscious of the knowledge within
ourselves. There were very specific things that Kurt's father did that
are common among all great parents and missing in families that don't raise
the same type of children. "Don't push your kids. Let them be
who they want and encourage them when they find it," is one of the things
Kurt's dad mentioned.
How many parents do
you see screaming at their kids, the coaches or the referees from the
sidelines? Why don't they just fall into being the type of parent Kurt
had? They are just as unaware of what they don't know as Kurt's
father was about what he did know.
What does it matter
if you could be aware of the special abilities that flow through you on a
regular basis?
Imagine if you were
a parent of a talented young athlete, what would it be worth to you if Mr.
Browning were able to describe in detail all of the principles they made as
part of their family's life that contributed to helping Kurt, a child with
natural talent, go on to become a world champion.
Imagine if you were
an aspiring young athlete who wanted to become the best. What would it
be worth to you if Kurt could put down in detail all of the details that
worked together to help him become the best in the world!
I've interviewed a
number of people who are very successful - financially, as parents and
contributors to their community. It struck me as unfortunate that they
were so capable at doing what they were doing, but because they did it so
unconsciously they weren't passing on those same strengths to their
children. Most self-made millionaires don't teach their children the
principles that made them millionaires. Instead they attempt to make
their children's lives easier than their own by giving them the things they
didn't have - in the end, creating children who don't know how to work for
what they want.
My wife's mother is
exceptionally well organized, she's also a pretty good cook. Her father
has a well developed system for keeping records of all personal and business
financial details. Both of them do these things so naturally that they
didn't know that they were as important to teach their children as Math and
English. Now they have two really great kids - but both are challenged
by the things their parents are a natural talent at.
Becoming
Consciously Competent:
-
Do
it in order to begin living your life's purpose: As you become
more aware of the gifts that you naturally possess, you are able to begin
focusing your life and your work into areas you have tremendous passion
for. You begin contributing to those around you with what you do
well.
-
Do
it in order to find a better job: I
don't know how many times I've been working with someone looking to change
careers and their comment is, "You mean I could really do that?
I'd love to do that! I do it all the time, but I never thought
anyone would actually pay me to do it!"
-
Do
it in order to become a better parent: The things you do poorly
your kids will pick up on without any instruction from you. The
things you do well and assume are common sense are things they may
struggle with unless you teach them the details behind what you do.
If you get along well with others, teach them those skills, if you cook
well begin getting them to do it with you (boys too), if you keep a clean
orderly house don't just give them chores to do, tell them how you clean
that bathroom and how you organize that closet and they will have those
skills when they move out on their own.
-
Do
it to leave a legacy after you're gone: If you don't know what
you're gifts are, chances are that others may appreciate you as a person
but won't learn how to do what you do for themselves. Take time to
begin writing down what you know about what you do. You may think
it's not worth much, but your grandkids and future generations may find it
to be a goldmine of information.
-
Do
it to become a millionaire: How many times have you heard the
story about someone with a simple little idea or family recipe that went
on to become wealthy and famous? What would have happened if they
had simply taken it forgranted? They would have enriched the few
lives they came in contact with, but never could have shared their gift
with the millions who eventually became customers.
We all have these
gifts. If you don't know what yours are and would like to begin defining
a life of conscious excellence, the ACHIEVE program is specifically designed
to make you aware of your gifts and capitalize on them while overcoming your
challenges using the strategies others have proven successful.
If you would like
to begin the journey of becoming consciously competent, if you would like to
begin living a life that is more true to your real purpose, if you want to
begin contributing to the world in a powerful way - contact
me.
Graham White www.incrediblepotential.com
BACK
