Sometimes you see things that make you think. And make you understand that the world is a lot bigger and more challenging than what we face day to day in our own lives.
And then when you start thinking about kids and what they face in schools and peer pressure and daily challenges you see something like this and it puts some things in life in perspective.
I don’t doubt that a kid’s life can seem pretty dark sometimes. But I also doubt we adults invest half the energy we should insuring we lighten their lives (because frankly we have our own shit we need to deal with). I am not suggesting we don’t try to shed some light (because, once again, frankly I have some friends who are awesome parents and invest so much energy into their kid’s lives that I am in awe of their energy and strength).
But.
I struggle to believe given what I see happen in our (adults) lives that we remember to see all the darkness in children’s lives.
And, in general, we can never do enough to insure we make sure it never gets too dark for our children.
Anyway. When I saw this it reminded me that kids grow up fast enough as it is and we should do anything we can possibly do to let them enjoy being a child. Sure. They need to understand that there are responsibilities and that life isn’t always easy. But every child deserves a childhood.
So.
When I see an image like this. And I read words like this. I admit. My heart breaks a little.
And makes me want to enlighten even more.
Just so I can do my part to eliminate some of the darkness.
I seem to spend a lot of time debating with some of my peers (old … ok … older people) about the attitude and actions of this generation of tweens.
They spend too much time on the computer.
They are lazy. They have a bored attitude.
All they do is play video games.
But, frankly, the biggest issue almost always appears to be the role the internet is now playing in children’s lives.
So.
That is a huge issue I could probably write a book on. This is just one post. I will keep it to one thought.
I vaguely remember being a tween (it was a long time ago) but I remember having lots of fragmented thoughts that seemed relatively thoughtful but I couldn’t articulate if you had paid me a million bucks. Today the web has created an environment for kids to articulate and hone their articulation skills as never before.
In a separate post I comment on a thought a lecturer had suggesting that the influence of the internet on kids is that they won’t cognitively form their own opinions or thoughts instead they will just use other people’s opinions and thoughts. I disagreed. I believe the web has given kids an enormous learning platform to assimilate different thinking and help them take fragmented thoughts in their own head and put them together in an insightful articulation. In fact I believe the fact that kids today have access to such a wide variety of other people’s thoughts & opinions they actually have a better cognitive thinking process. They can better assess their own personal thoughts as good versus bad than ever before.
Yeah. yeah. yeah. So I went around looking for proof points for this. Let me tell you. If you look on the web you will find some of the most amazingly insightful well articulated thoughts you have ever experienced. Kids today are smarter and more insightful and I would argue more capable of articulating their thoughts then, at minimum, my generation of kids. That doesn’t mean they are more mature (although I do believe in some ways they are) but that they are well on their way to becoming a generation of effective communicators. In a way that us old folk may chafe over but better figure out a way of accepting.
These two examples may have come from one of the most unlikely locations I could have ever envisioned. An emo skateboarder site that is peppered with music talk that was so far over my head (I am not sure I knew one band) and the rest of the conversation amongst them was in a language I would need a translator to get me through a conversation. And then. I scanned the stuff they posted. Awesome.
Never doubt that within this generation of kids is smart insightful thinking.
I would also ask everyone to question their doubt of the influence of the web and video on this generation. While these are just two examples the internet is strewn with examples of like these where kids show their ability to dig down a little deeper into why they feel the way they feel. And thoughts on life.
Here is the thought: I believe if all single guys had to go through a birthing class the world would be a better place (particularly for women).
This begins my story of how I have a certificate for taking a birthing class (and I am a single, never married with no children guy).
Maribeth and Phil were really good married friends of mine (another story will be the 12 straight blind dates they set me up on). Maribeth was in the advertising business like me. Phil did something else (do we ever really know what our friends do?). Maribeth got pregnant (via Phil but I didn’t ask any details). Phil was doing his job (whatever it was) and had to leave Mondays and come back Fridays. Birthing classes were Wednesdays I believe.
So Phil and Maribeth asked if I could attend birthing class with Maribeth and then I could pass along the guy version of what happened to Phil over the weekend to prepare him for the ultimate ‘gig.’
I guess the sticky wicket was always going to be “the day” and what happened if Phil couldn’t make it. Thank god that crisis was averted.
So … every Wednesday night Maribeth and I went to the hospital to attend this several week birthing class.
Introductions were interesting the first day.
In general everyone was a little confused on who I was and the relationship to the Phil/Maribeth relationship (I am fairly sure a couple of guys thought there was some threesome thing going on which creeped both Maribeth and I out).
But everyone moved along pretty quickly as we got down to the nuts and bolts of what the baby does to a woman’s body.
Whew.
Okay.
What this baby thing does to a woman’s body.
Suffice it to say I would rather Mike Tyson hit me in the stomach than endure the effect a baby would have on my body. And that would be the number one thing I believe every single guy should start with understanding.
Beyond that.
I have to tell you. Maribeth and I had a blast considering the seriousness of the discussion. Maybe it’s because we were both in the marketing business, but we probably analyzed what was said and why it was said that way more than was probably healthy. Phil would often have to bring us back “on point” in our debrief discussions.
During the class there were definitely some awkward moments with regard to the whole coaching and coaxing thing but I sometimes believe the fact she and I laughed so much reminded the rest of the class that having some fun was … well… more fun than worrying.
Shit.
Some of the dads were so uptight I was a little unclear how conception happened in the first place. The class – which I assume is pretty much the same everywhere – kinda works to get the partners in sync with what is happening with the pregnancy and birth. I imagine it is a nice way to eliminate some of the surprises at “the event” as well as gives some nice fallback tricks when you don’t know what else to do. And the class culminates in a video of three actual births (here is the marketing guy in me). The video strategically begins with a “problem birth,” switches to a “difficult but healthy birth” and finally to an “easy healthy birth” (they always want to finish on a high note).
Okay.
Let me be clear about the video. From a bachelor point of view they were all brutal to watch. And I appreciated the mix, but it kind of all made me think being a monk may not be all that bad. Once again. A very good lesson for any single “in your 20’s” guy (it also may be a great recruiting tool for the church).
Anyway.
It was an amazing experience.
Basically I netted out two things (although I learned much much more than this):
– Having a baby as a couple is an amazing thing. It wasn’t even my baby but I found myself pretty astounded by the capacity and sometimes overwhelming care which creeped into the moment. Every guy would be served well to understand that even if they don’t have a kid. It is an amazing thing to experience even peripherally.
– Having a baby fucks up a woman’s body. I saw things and pictures and videos that sobered me up pretty quickly on my relatively casual attitude with regard to sex.
So I still have my little paper certificate.
It probably cost 5 cents on their copier machine but it is kinda valuable to me. I have lost touch with Phil and Maribeth but that experience will always define my friendship with them. I believe the class matured me a little. And I believe most single guys in their 20’s would benefit from the experience.
Recently the courts have become involved in this semi asinine issue of on using “god” in the pledge of allegiance or on American currency (“in god we trust”) rejecting arguments that they violate the constitutional separation of church and state.
I am going to leave the money issue alone because at this rate the dollar can use any help it can get so I don’t think we want to take a chance God would get pissed we don’t trust him anymore.
But … on the pledge of allegiance.
Let me begin by stating I firmly believe we would be better off as a nation if all kids did what I did and started the school day with the pledge of allegiance.
The reference to God wasn’t an issue or thought (but if it truly is an issue I have an answer).
Regardless.
The pledge is a statement that reminds everyone what country they live in, a respect for the American flag and serves as a small (but cornerstone) commitment to the nation as a whole at a young age.
Look.
I am a business guy. I am an alignment guy.
To me the pledge is an alignment tool. That and the national anthem are foundational elements to a country of people with pride in the country they live in.
Anyway.
This ruling was a reversal of the same court’s decision in 2002 that the pledge violated the First Amendment ban on government endorsement of religion (the crap we get out higher courts involved in is stunning).
But finally I heard a federal judge who “got it” with regard to the pledge of allegiance:
“The Pledge of Allegiance serves to unite our vast nation through the proud recitation of some of the ideals upon which our Republic was founded.”
(and this wasn’t Judge Judy)
(wow. I got this one right and I don’t even have a high falutin’ law degree nor one of those cool robes they get to wear)
Anyway.
Everyone should note that schools do not require students to recite the pledge (although I do wish they would).
So.
Here is my solution so that maybe all schools will open the day with it.
The original Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 with the hope that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country. In 1923 “the flag of the United States of America was added to make it specific to the good ole USofA:
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
C’mon dudes (and dudettes).
What is wrong with this?
No reference to God. Never did.
Why not use the pledge of allegiance which was developed with the correct intent (and, for god’s sake, the original was written by a minister of all people and he didn’t include God).
It was only in 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words “under God.” (and I like Ike just not this particular decision).
Just my thinking.
I get worried that we, as Americans, lose sight of the bigger issue (America as a nation) while focusing on smaller special interest issues. I also believe we make it harder than it has to be.
We have a pretty good thing going here in what we call the United States of America.
We fought hard to get it. We fought hard to maintain. We have done some great things. We have done some not so great things along the way. But in the end we still remain the United States of America and the pledge of allegiance is a small reminder of that fact.
“… a bad idea is a bad idea and will never be a good idea no matter how well you dress it up.”
—
Bruce McTague
===
So.
Comcast, perhaps having just seen their 100th consecutive consumer research study showcasing their lack of customer service (Hey. All cable companies are in this boat. So it’s not just them) and massive customer dissatisfaction scores, had an inspiration (some may call it a brain cramp) and announced that it plans to change the name of its cable TV, Internet and phone services to XFinity.
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Okay.
Comcast EVP, operations David Watson tells us the brilliance behind this re-branding maneuver:
“XFINITY represents the future of our company and it’s a promise to customers that we’ll keep innovating. When we launch XFINITY in a market, we’ll rebrand our products: XFINITY TV, XFINITY Voice and XFINITY Internet (our company, of course, remains Comcast). This transition is already well underway across the country. [On February 12], XFINITY will roll out in 11 markets including: Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Hartford, Augusta, Chattanooga, parts of the Bay Area and San Francisco, with more markets to come later this year.”
This is the kind of crap that makes everyday consumers crazy and drives those of us in the marketing world to drink heavily <Ok … more heavily then we may normally do>.
Dear David at Comcast,
I don’t want you to promise me you will keep innovating I would like you to promise me you will show up at 10 when you say you will fix my TV so I can watch Oprah.
Sincerely,
XCustomer.
I have the utmost respect for Jeff Goodby and Goodby Silverstein (Comcast’s ad agency) but this is kind of nuts. I guess I can take some solace in that a Comcast representative confirmed that this is actually a Goodby, Siegel+Gale, and other agencies brain trust endeavor.
(although I would tend to blame Siegel+Gale as having been paid a boatload of money and arriving at some unbelievably “insightful in presentation but unrealistic in practicality” conclusion)
Well.
I guess if they spend enough money it will work.
Spend enough and people will forget Comcast and only remember XFinity.
But.
Here’s the deal. Every day they will still be delivering the same ole same ole (which ain’t so hot). Therefore, in the end they will have spent gobs of money on this new “brand” and achieve exactly the same results.
Some would tend to believe this is a definition of insanity. I just tend to believe this is a stupid idea.
Anyway.
And wouldn’t it have been cheaper if they had all sat in a conference room contemplating their navels?
The strategic foundation is so simple and clearly good it is a worthwhile read for anyone in business. Whether you actually use the disruption methodology or not the idea of positioning in a way to create disruption (and therefore being distinct) is a powerful concept.
Drawing from experiences as the founder and chair of a global advertising agency, Dru gives us this practical, refreshing approach to thinking about advertising, positioning a business in the marketplace and … well … thinking in general.
His compelling concept of “disruption” is a three-step reasoning process for creating a set of new visions for successful growth.
Dru first explores how firms can get in a rut with their advertising strategies.
He then offers hundreds of examples of advertising in Europe, the United States, and Japan to explore cultural differences and government rules and regulations about advertising. Dru’s last section provides more detail and looks toward the future.
Rich with examples, this timely book is recommended for advertising-agency and marketing professionals as well as for corporate executives, consultants, and advanced students and academicians.
I have written on a variety of issues with regard to running a business and effective organizations (Running a Business Part 1 and Part 2, Collaboration & Consensus Part 1 & Part 2).
But I came across this video which discusses “the surprising science of motivation.”
It is a long video (18+ minutes) and Daniel Pink, the presenter, is a little practiced on occasion in his delivery but the information is nice. There were two things in the video which I appreciated.
One I had felt but had never been able to confirm.
The other I already knew but hadn’t written about yet.
1. Motivation Incentives.
Maybe it’s because I have worked with several advertising agency owners who wanted to run their agencies like manufacturing plants, but this issue has been near and dear to my heart for quite awhile. The video talks about “carrot and stick” motivational techniques and crap like that.
He uses some nice simple illustrations and some fact based conclusions for why the typical ways we try to motivate each other fail in business today.
A Daniel Pink Quote:
“There’s a mismatch between what science knows and business does.”
Possibly because most of the organizations I have either consulted for or worked at have been more “idea driven” versus “product output” organizations I have always believed (maybe more a feeling) that financial based reward models sucked. Daniel finally gave me some facts (from studies):
“Once the task called for even rudimentary cognitive skills a larger reward led to poorer performance.”
“As long as task involved only mechanical skills, bonuses worked, i.e., higher pay = better performance.”
Halleluiah.
That isn’t to say people in a cognitive driven business shouldn’t be fairly compensated; it simply states that rewarding financially to increase productivity is not the most effective path.
So if it isn’t financial rewards, what does help productivity?
2. Constructed Autonomy.
This is all about self direction within a solid construct of vision and company ‘direction.’ This is something I have believed to be an effective characteristic of effective organizations for some time. It is most likely embodied within larger franchise organizations (in some form or fashion) but it is easier to see it in those organizations because they are obviously fragmented and local autonomy works within some “rules” construct.
So.
The video.
In addition to talking about motivating employee behavior he also talks about creating an environment for productivity. I wrote about this in Organizational Alignment.
But.
He reminded me when he discusses the idea of autonomy about what I call “constructed autonomy” environments (yup. I do love contradictions).
I used the whole Constructed Autonomy idea in a consulting presentation in early spring (with a source reference) as I discussed organizational alignment and creating the most effective organization.
I apologize but for the life of me I cannot dig up the source for that autonomy business idea but I believe there was a big European based study on organizational behavior that talks about it (if I can find that presentation on some thumb drive I will source it).
My “twist” on the Autonomy thing was to tie it to a tightly constructed organizational vision. To me it’s all about giving employees within the organization lots of freedom within a well defined construct (not a box but rather a guiding star they can always locate).
Ok.
Maybe not lots of freedom but enough freedom on some key things (whatever they may be that is relevant to that particular organization).
Ok.
So here’s the deal with Autonomy.
Every time I have used the word “autonomy” to an organizational owner, President, Sr. VP, whatever…their faces pale, hands grip the table a little harder, they may even gasp a little and their voices quiver slightly with fear.
Autonomy means lack of control.
Autonomy means I need to trust my employees.
Autonomy means “so then what do I do”? (sorry, had to throw that last one in).
But autonomy on the ground:
permits a slight level of localization (if that is relevant to an organization)
certainly creates a higher level of responsiveness (good for customer satisfaction)
actually is a good idea/innovation generator (as long as you have a feedback mechanism)
automatically creates a higher level of energy within an organization
builds a happier organization because it creates a stronger sense of ownership & responsibility
It takes a strong leader with a clearly articulated vision to make autonomy work within an organization (if you don’t, then autonomy simply fragments an organization by permitting pieces to go flying off in every direction aimlessly).
So.
That’s the “Constructed” portion of it. In my Running a Business Part 2 I described this as one end of the bookends. A clearly articulated vision, mission, okay … what ‘the organization is going to be good at’. And ruthlessly good at.
If that is provided as the “North Star,” then Autonomy always knows what direction to steer toward. And because of that North Star, autonomous groups can wander slightly but have an opportunity to course correct (
which, by the way, is also a good evaluation mechanism for employees).
There you go.
A nice video sparking some clarification on my part.
I have been fortunate throughout my career in advertising agencies to not only have worked with many really smart people but also to have heard some really smart things. What I love about advertising people is that they typically find simple ways to say some complex thoughts (except people in account service, who typically use bucket loads of nonsensical words to say very little. Hey. I started as an account person).
Here is a sampling of thoughts shared with me over the years (and check out one of my earlier posts on Sam Meeks who was a masterful wordsmith and leader).
“If you are willing to work insane hours, have fun and drink lots of Coors this may be the place for you.“
Roy won’t remember me but I interviewed for a supervisor spot at his agency when they won the Coors account in the mid 80’s. I have always remembered what he said.
This was his way of saying don’t expect a 40 hour week but can you still have fun and, oh by the way, I only want people who can be passionate about the business they are working on.
That agency, GSD&M, was a zoo at the time. I was pretty sure they had no clue what they were doing (in my infinite late 20’s wisdom).
I wasn’t ready for them at the time.
I probably wasn’t good enough for them at the time (or maybe I just didn’t have the capacity for their company gestalt). But they have gone on to kick some ass.
I will also say that I stored away this little learning moment and have reapplied it time and time again (not just the beer drinking part).
“So what you are saying to me is go ahead and do this if we want to be the tallest midget.”
Steve Danuser
The first time I heard this I was floored (said by one of my clients). It was awesome. I must have said something incredibly dicklike to my client to solicit this response. But he got the point of whatever I said and he had the grace to respond with some humor. I have heard nothing better to say “big fish in little pond” with more pizzazz than this. Settling sucks. And this statement captures the essence of settling.
“We don’t want to be known for creating brilliantly crafted failures.”
Don Perkins
Advertising agencies are always being pointed at and slammed for just being creative and not caring about the business, i.e., “all you want to do is wacky advertising.”
And every time I hear someone say this I think it is the silliest thing I have ever heard.
My first instinct is a sarcastic sharp retort. I want to say how dumb that comment is. My friend and great creative director took the high road. In this concise statement he says we will always be creative but with no intent to not drive results.
Let me be clear. There is no credible marketing or advertising agency in the world that doesn’t understand they are in the business of creatively generating business. Period. No debate.
I could probably do an entire page of Luke quotes but this is a standout and remains in my everyday toolbox of things to say. I get so tired of people saying ‘good luck’ in a business environment – for meetings, presentations, whatever. At that point it isn’t about luck. You have probably put hours of hard work and tons of worry into being prepared and putting yourself and the team into the right frame of mind. It really all comes down to performance. You are in the time and the place and it is just time to “do it”. So. The quote. Luke just gave me a post it note before a meeting that said “don’t suck.” I wish I had kept it. He understood the value of humorously understanding in the end it comes down to how you perform in the moment.
And you know something? None of us want to suck when given the chance. Sure we want to shine. Sure we want to be great. But most of all we don’t want to suck. That quote was one of Luke’s greatest quote/lesson moments. I use it all the time.
He actually said “the slippery surface of irrelevant brilliance.” I believe but I thought somewhere he said what I wrote above. Regardless. Another great quote from a great writer. This isn’t just a business lesson but also a life lesson. It is absolutely so easy to compromise – in business and in life.
“Just this once” you say when you are tired.
Whatever the decision or action it may be to you in the moment it is mentally “an exception”. And before you know it you are on that slippery slope.
Life is funny that way. That incomparable movie The Replacements has a scene where Keanu Reeves talks about it as “quicksand”. It’s the same thing. You get in it. And you fight hard but you just can’t stop sliding down. And it is a truly helpless feeling. The worst thing about the slippery slope is that most people don’t realize they have started sliding until it is too late. It is one of my quests in life to find good people who have mistakenly started the slide and lend a hand to pull them back up.
Does that mean I am better than mediocrity? Shit no.
I just recognize that sense of helplessness and I like people to have hope – for something better. Anyway. This quote reminds me of two things.
1. Pay attention to everything. It’s the only way to insure mediocrity can’t gain momentum (because we all have to compromise on occasion)
2. Help those who have that look of “how the hell did I get so far down this slope” by grabbing their hand and pulling them back up whenever you have a chance. There are some incredible people and some incredible talent out there that just got caught on life’s slippery slope. It doesn’t mean they are mediocre by any stretch of the imagination. Simply that they got caught on the slippery slope and didn’t know how to get off.
“All you can really ask is for someone to do the best they possibly can.”
Anonymous (and me)
I have said this a zillion times. And I have no clue who I stole it from. But if I could beat this into the head of every leader in the world I would be willing to staple the piece of paper with the quote on it to my forehead. Sometimes we ask so much of our people it is amazing. And, yes, many people do not know what they are truly capable of until they are pushed to aim for something seemingly impossible. I am a pretty demanding leader. I set an incredibly high bar for my team. But in the end all I ask is that they do their best. And if it isn’t enough they we can say we didn’t succeed for lack of trying. And sometimes that’s as good as it gets. And sometimes that is when I have been proudest of people I have led. Ask the best of people and I believe most people will surprise you by doing a little better.
Vendor relationships are always tricky … a vendor is hired for an expertise and yet the ‘hirer’ mentally wants a … well … vendor.
This means most Client/Agency/Service Supplier relationships are a balancing act.
The best relationships represent a combination of two experts constantly challenging each other, finding times when each is, respectfully, right or wrong, and throw in a good dose of actually liking each other. But typically before you get to the relationship part you have to consummate a deal.
It is because of this I call this “the art of the deal” (see the upcoming Client Agency Relationships Part 2: the Art of the Relationships for a relationship point of view) because, philosophically, how you strike ‘the deal’ often dictates what becomes the ultimate client/agency relationship.
In other words, often the success of that relationship is dictated by how well the initial deal was struck.
As for who is responsible for making a good deal?
Well, while I have seen Client/Agency relationships sour because of either party, I would suggest that agencies more often than not are most culpable for failures and bear the brunt of the responsibility in establishing the deal. Having sat down in dozens of meetings between an agency and a prospective client I have seen the good and the bad unfold not only as the deal is being consummated but also after the meeting as the deal unfolds. I have seen how agency people rush towards the finish line saying anything that needs to be said to get there.
And I have seen the expressions on the faces of the people back at the agency when they have seen what promises have been made to make the deal.
And, bottom line, I have seen that I don’t want to go through that disappointment when facing my own people.
It is very simple if you stick to your guns. I suggest there are six critical steps to sealing a good deal (and having a hope of a successful relationship).
Let’s call this what it takes to stand up and feel good about shaking hands on the deal as the contract is ready to get signed.
1. Alignment of Expectations:
Nothing is worse than if either side of the partnership (or dealmakers) is expecting something the other partner is not prepared to do, or even worse, cannot do.
2. Communicate:
Alignment means both parties need to communicate. This means clearly articulating expectations and capabilities to meet expectations.
Am I meeting your needs?
Am I meeting your expectations?
Both sides asking questions. Both sides talking to each other. Sometimes it is a dialogue. Sometimes it is simply asking the correct questions. But each of those options includes speaking versus silence.
3. Honesty:
Good communication requires honesty. Honesty with yourself first and foremost, i.e., can I honestly say we are doing a good job? And, of course, “I need to be honest now or it could continue to build up into big trouble.” Honest discussion on the good and the bad. It’s easy to talk about the good stuff, more difficult on the hard things. ‘Fess up honestly in all cases and you earn trust.
4. Respect:
Honesty is typically best when there is mutual respect. Respect speaks for itself. We all feel good when respected.
5. Compensation:
If you have the 1st four right (alignment, communicate, honesty, respect) then the money discussion becomes easier, not easy, but certainly easier.
It’s a value equation. Agencies need to feel like they are being fairly compensated for actions. Clients need to believe they are receiving valuable activity/action. And there needs to be an alignment on this value equation or it becomes a battle of nickels & dimes and instead of talking business you are constantly talking about money (and that is bad).
6. Chemistry:
Finally, it always helps if you like each other. It doesn’t have to be ‘best friends’ but if each party respects and likes each other than there is at least a fighting chance to make it through the tough times as well as truly enjoying/celebrating the good times. “Double the joys and halve the griefs” as it has been said.
Conclusion:
That is what makes a great deal between a Client and an Agency/Service Supplier.
I know, it sounds simple, but it is harder than it looks. The sight of the finish line makes people do and say funny things (and it can certainly create amnesia with regard to knowing the “right thing to do”).
Agencies want to make the deal (and that desire can blind you to some things).
So.
In the end?
Take a deep breath when you are getting ready to cross the finish line and ask yourself do you really want to win. Ask yourself honestly are you clear on all six criteria. And ask yourself the hard question even if it is at the last minute – did you really want to run this particular race and was it really the right race for you?
“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought.”
–
Matsuo Basho
===============
Well.
It sometimes seems like a fine line between being doomed to repeat past mistakes … and actually learning from history.
And I say that as a history nut and someone who loves anything to do with the past.
Well.
Except maybe just doing what was done in the past.
Anyway.
As I have said I am a collector of moments and I imagine this is just another facet of that warped personal characteristic. When I saw this quote I finally figured out how to explain what I saw in studying the past.
There are so many people in the business world (and government) who seem very focused on ignoring history. They almost seem to actively decide to repeat behavior … assuming, I imagine, that it will inevitably generate the desired response. I assume that is based on some warped version of “practice makes perfect” or possibly “we will just do it better than they did.”
All I can say for sure is that blind ignorance leads to stupidity.
And maybe what is worse is this is conscious choiceful ignorance.
And, harshly, it seems like it incorporates even a little lazy.
But … bottom line … it is silly stupidity because with a little curiosity you can better understand that people in the past were pretty smart.
They often sought the same things we do now.
And while the path they chose may not have gotten them there there is value in walking the path to see what they saw.
To be clear.
You do not have to do what they did … simply see what they saw.
That, in itself, is learning … well … that is … if you choose to see it.