People tend to believe someone without question because of their role, not necessarily knowledge or experience, if they read it somewhere because ‘they’ say so (who is they exactly?), or if ‘they’ promise a shortcut to a goal, whether or not it’s sustainable or do-able.

This past week I was in New Mexico for a conference.  As I sat listening to the others in the room I realized there was wisdom in everyone, although not everyone shared their points of view.  Many expected I would share some of my experiences when all what I wanted to do was listen to what others had had to share.  I already know what I can do.  I wanted to hear what I didn’t know I could do to evolve me.

Everyone knows something about life, work, and living that I don’t know.  Believing I’m an expert and only wanting to share my point of view would make me very stupid indeed.  I made a pact with myself to love learning more than teaching, even when I am teaching….to be open to learn what I don’t know rather than validate what I already do know.

As I tell many, listening to confirm what I already know is a dialogue of the deaf.  Listening for what I don’t know and integrating it into my world is where evolution begins.  To show the distinction…

change > shift > evolve

To change is to adjust, replace or alter your thinking or behaviour. To shift is to move from one place to another - to change position on the inside, emotionally or from where you are looking from/how you are seeing. To evolve is to become someone different (vs just change behavior or expand perspective). Personal evolution is usually triggered by changes in your environment and by really getting who you are now and understanding who you want to become.. To evolve means that you are becoming someone different, not just someone who’s growing, changing or expanding yourself. 

Where have you made a major change recently? How have you evolved recently? What’s the difference? In what aspects do you want to evolve and what might be stopping you?

My intention for this newsletter is that you come away with a bit more knowledge and perspective than before you read it.  Did I succeed?  Is there a specific area you’d like me to write more about?  Let me know

Just like people, “Each painting has its own way of evolving. When the painting is finished, the subject reveals itself.”  - William Baziotes.