In this fast-paced, hustle-bustle world, we want to be
experts at everything – and we feel it’s best if we can attain
this status overnight.
Wanting to be an expert is good. Wanting to master specific
knowledge is important. The more the better.
At the same time, whenever you think you “know” something
really well, there is a huge tendency to close your mind to the
study of MORE. In fact, many people close their minds well before
they reach expert status.
I don’t know why this is, but we human beings love to feel superior
to others when it comes to knowledge – and as soon as we think we
know what others don’t know, we start to offer advice, even when it
is unsolicited.
Offering advice to others isn’t a bad thing. It’s an important part of
how our society functions. But to continue growing, it’s a good idea to
stand guard as you sit at the advice table. Is your mind so filled with
what YOU know that you’re unwilling to listen to or hear something
else? Are you continually emptying your cup – standing back from
what you know and asking for more? Or are you smug – content to
know what you already know?
If you feel superior to others because you know more than they do –
learning stops. If you think you’ve already got all the answers –
learning stops. If you think there’s nothing no one else can teach you,
you’re making the mistake of your life.
The key questions to ask yourself is, “Am I in learner mode or know-
everything already mode? Am I continuing to learn from others or am
I sitting in judgement of others?”
I realize that it can be hard to continually empty your cup. It can be hard
to admit that you don’t know something – but it’s also a good practice.
This morning as I was getting into my HUMMER to drive my son, Frank,
to school, he asked, “Daddy, do dead people still have birthdays?”
First thought that came into my mind was what an interesting question. One
I don’t think I’ve ever thought of.
“I’m not really sure,” I told my son. “They might.”
After I dropped Frank off I was hit with the answer. Later today I’ll give it to
him. It will go as follows: “As far as I know, some dead people still have
birthdays.”
No doubt Frank will probably ask “who.”
And to this I will reply: “George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King,
Jr. and some other people. It really depends upon whether or not we want to keep
celebrating.”
Yesterday, when I got home I checked the mail. Saw a few packages for me. Books
and courses I had ordered. As I began to go through them, I stayed conscious with
the question, “What can I learn here?”
At times, as I looked through the material, I wanted to dismiss it. I wanted to go
into expert mode instead of open-to-learn mode. I caught myself and stayed open.
And as I flipped through the manuals I found several key points that either needed
reinforcement in my own life – or were new to me. This woulld not have happened
if I wanted to satisfy my expert ego.
The key to becoming and remaining an expert is openness. Which are you going to
choose today?
Best,
P.S. It’s 2007 – a lucky year for YOU – a year of unprecented growth. Whenever we
have a year that ends in ‘7’ – tis a good, good sign. So run with it, my friend. Open
your mind to abundance in all areas. Being part of the Psycho-Cybernetics Success
Group is a choice that will help you move through life with ease. Remove the
resistance from you life and learn how easy it can be to slide through the day,
getting more and more done in less and less time. To discover more, go to