Becoming Bulletproof...

I am a fan of the Godfather movie series.

It is a trilogy of American crime films directed by Francis Ford Coppola and inspired by the novel of the same name by Mario Puzo. The films follow the trials of the fictional Italian American mafia Corleone family whose patriarch, Vito Corleone, rises to be a major figure in American organised crime. His youngest son, Michael Corleone, becomes his successor.

The films were released in 1972, 1974, and 1990 and are widely regarded as some of the greatest films of all time. The series won nine Academy Awards out of 28 nominations.

It is phenomenal in surfacing the workings of organised crime, while romanticising about universally appealing human values such as family, loyalty, respect, and fairness.

In the 1980s and 1990s I had some great insights into how these dynamics pan out in real life, from the point of view of business owners that operated (no longer fortunately) within a geography with unwritten rules of behaviour that today’s Western world (or parts of it) would judge as unacceptable, even punishable.

Your environment shapes your ‘map of the world’.

After turning 19, I decided to leave this world behind and pursue an Academic education. Very soon it turned out to be one of the most challenging years.

“How come?” someone asked me recently. “Surely those earlier experiences would have toughened you up!”

The environments you are exposed to on a regular basis shape how you see and understand the world (although we are often unaware of it). Once something changes in that environment (be it a family, company, community, location, or others) your entire world trembles. You resist and push back. It is uncomfortable.

In reality there is nothing inherently wrong with a new environment or situation (others do perfectly well in it). The problem is that we find it hard to let go of beliefs, values, expectations, and assumptions (our intrinsic maps). Even when they are no longer helpful.

Two strategies

There are two different ways of approaching any changes that naturally unfold around you (whichever their nature, business or personal):

1.?Adapt. You learn to unlearn by becoming curious and open to relearn the ‘features’ of a new territory.

2.?Defend. You build a wall of protection around you (same conversations, same situations, settings, and as little exposure to the outside world, and its views, as possible)

Strategy number 2 is a terrible idea. Particularly if you are entrepreneurial, creative, or keen to make some sorts of difference in your domain of expertise.

Two areas

I spent my professional life developing strategies that have served me, individuals and organisations across numerous industries, geographies, and walks of life.

They have progressively learned to:

• Achieve goals faster.
• Save time, money, and years of effortful trials and errors.
• Evolve their businesses.
• Reduce uncertainty.
• Enter heathier relationships and partnerships.
• Live healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.

Here are two areas you can concentrate on, if you find yourself in the position of wanting to approach your future more proactively (by design), rather than repeating the same mistakes (by default):

1. Invest in self-awareness. It does not have to be coaching (in minor cases you may benefit from some remedial professional intervention) however there cannot be self-improvement without self-awareness. You must be willing to uncover the features of your current map of the world that are blocking you. It cannot be done alone.
2. Strategies to unlearn and relearn. This is about acquiring and experimenting with new strategies to move you forward. It can be done by yourself or with the help of professionals, if you want to accelerate the progress.

Rumi, the famous Persian poet, mystic, and philosopher who lived in the 13th century is attributed this quote:

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

With love and appreciation.

PS (There is not such a thing as becoming bulletproof. You can nonetheless become exponentially better at dealing with any circumstances, accelerate your growth, and transition into a future that is more impactful and self sustaining)