Last night when I was walking with my daughters and niece, I considered buying my last book of the year. I entered a bookstore in the city of Lima; I reviewed several copies and finally acquired “How to make things happen” by Guillermo Echevarría. In his reading I found very interesting topics; One of them encouraged me to write this article.
Dinosaur history began more than 230 million years ago. Dinosaur means "Terrible Lizard", although the word "dinosaur" also has a pejorative meaning in ordinary language; dinosaur is a person or organization that continues to live when it is no longer needed; or always do things the same way.
The true dinosaurs became extinct approximately 66 million years ago and their disappearance remains unknown; however, the hypotheses about their extinction coincide that something in the climate or on the earth changed and that these prehistoric animals were not able to learn what was necessary to adapt to the change.
In this current time, full of rapid changes like the ones we are experiencing, failing to learn, innovate and reinvent ourselves could lead us to become dinosaurs; and we already know what our end could be.
Without trying to belittle experience, information or practice, I consider that the secret to anticipating and adapting to change is learning to think like a beginner. Thinking as an expert when we want to solve problems can hinder rather than help.
If we act with the beginner's mind, we are more open to what is emerging and we will be better prepared to anticipate the change. Thinking as a beginner makes it easier for us to see things differently, without allowing ancient information or experience to cloud or cloud our judgments. It must be remembered that the experience took place in the past and that the information and strategies that worked yesterday do not guarantee the success of today.
Next I present a "Test to find dinosaurs" which has 10 statements of attitudes or behaviors. You must answer in the corresponding column, IF you identify yourself or NOT with them.
- The last time you publicly acknowledged your ignorance or ignorance about something was more than two months ago. The last time you accepted that someone had a better idea than yours, it happened more than two months ago. You love to say I told you so and Show that, in the end, you were right. At this moment you consider it unnecessary to give the authority of teacher or mentor to someone specific. More than a month ago, you stopped learning new things. The last time you asked for help on a topic, it happened More than two months. The last time you got rid of finding a better idea, it happened more than two months ago. You are worried that others will find out that you were wrong. More than six months ago you did your job (or studies) in exactly the same way.It has been more than a year since you stopped doing any professional or personal improvement course (or similar)
If you have YES for four or more of these statements, I ask you to quickly call the city zoo and give them the news of your results. They will be very surprised and happy when they know that there is still a living dinosaur (this is similar to my own experience).
What's interesting and positive is that there are many ways to foster a new and open mindset for the beginner (and stop being a dinosaur). I present here two easy and practical techniques for that:
- Imagine that you are an alien visitor. Look investigatively at your own situation. Ask yourself basic and even naive questions: What is this? What is it for? Why do I do it like this?… Take your son, nephew or eight year old grandson to spend the day with you and encourage him to browse, observe and ask questions.
You will be amazed to realize how these "visitors" find or discover things that are obvious to them and yet have been hidden from you.
