The First Step In The Journey to Wisdom

05 Sep The First Step In The Journey to Wisdom

Someone asked me once, “So what is it that an Executive Coach is supposed to do exactly?”

 

My answer, “Tell the truth to people who may not be used to hearing it.”

 

That’s not always easy – regardless of whether you’re working with a senior executive or a part time employee. Truth is sort of like fine art – subject to interpretation… and fairly rare.

 

I’ve devoted a few decades to the subject. Here are a couple of insights that undergird many of the conversations with clients not used to this notion of truth telling.

 

I reference them often – because they represent challenges in my life as well.

 

That’s right – it’s easy to talk the talk. Walking the walk is another matter.

 

I’ve encouraged some clients to post these Fundamental Truths on their office wall – and sometimes wondered if all of us might benefit from having them tattooed on our forehead.

 

 

Fundamental Truth #1 – Victimhood is a disease.  If you contract it you may never fully recover. There are 2 types of people out there – victims and victors.  Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Life is tough.  Get over it.

 

Fundamental Truth #2 – Give up the need to control everything and everyone around you. You can’t. Perfectionism is the enemy of greatness. Those who waste their lives in its pursuit are generally failures.

 

Fundamental Truth #3 – Stop saying yes to everything. I know, it feels good and it might make you believe people will like you more.  They won’t. You’re far better served in saying yes to the right things than to all things.

 

Fundamental Truth #4 – Identify the toxic people in your life. Now, as best you can, remove them from your life.  You’re not going to change them.

 

Fundamental Truth #5 – Recognize the distractions that are compromising you – and start carving them down.  At the top of the list for most – social media, cell phones, and television – our generation’s version of the cigarette break – only more prolonged and with (arguably) more devastating effects than even nicotine.

 

Fundamental Truth #5 – You’re living the life you created – it has been your decisions and your choices that placed you exactly where you are today. If that’s hard to hear – see Fundamental Truth #1.

 

Fundamental Truth #6 – Make your health a lifelong priority – to include balancing activity, rest, and nutrition.  You get one body – you better treat it with reverence.

 

Fundamental Truth #7 – Take the time to stop and think. We live in a chaotic world where “busy” has become the new “stupid”.  Hours worked, vacation time not taken, and family events missed are the Key Performance Indicators of the idiots that wave that flag.

 

Fundamental Truth #8 – Stop expecting the world to reward you – to include immediate gratification because you “deserve it”.  You don’t. Neither do I. The victors in this world recognize its imperfections.  They improvise. They adapt. They overcome.

 

Fundamental Truth #9 – Your significance in this life is directly tied to how much you are able to help others find success.  Not your intellect – not your degree – not your title – not your bank account – not your social standing.  How much you are able to help others find success.

 

Fundamental Truth #10 – Surround yourself with people of character – who can help make you better. Celebrate their wins just as much as you do your own – and maybe a bit more.

 

Fundamental Truth #11 – If you always believe you’re the smartest person in the room then you’re in the wrong room.  Ego sometimes has its place – but humility always has a place. Get over yourself. Most everyone else already has.

 

Fundamental Truth #12 – Don’t give up.  You’ll get knocked down. We all do. Get back up. And if you start something then finish it.

 

Fundamental Truth #13 – Your reputation is a reflection of your character – not your financial status, and not your list of accolades.  That reputation is far more important than you recognize – it’s what either distinguishes your name or diminishes it.

 

Fundamental Truth #14 – Experience may be the most over-rated of claimed attributes. Consecutive years of existence count for very little.  It’s the few people that accumulate insights along the way that become the most skilled. Stop boasting about how long you’ve been around – it means absolutely nothing.

 

 

Which leads us to this final point.

 

Fundamental Truth #15 – There is a big difference in knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is the accumulation of data and information. Wisdom is understanding what to do with it.  Educated idiots abound.  Try your best not to be one of them.

 

 

A very long time ago an influential coach helped me begin to understand one of these Fundamental Truths – starting a journey I will never fully complete.

 

 

Do I believe in the power of coaching?

 

Only as much as I believe in the power of truth.