Create a Virtuous Cycle

Admittedly, the idea of "self-Obsolescence" does sound crazy; that was my initial reaction, when I first heard about it. Then ... I tried it out; I experimented with it. And ... it ended up enabling our strategic alliance to accomplish the impossible. And, my informal power grew to exceed the formal power of a Senior Vice President at Hewlett-Packard.

We are empowered as we empower.

What does it mean to practice self-Obsolescence? How do we embody it?

• We work to make it so that others do not need us; then, they end up wanting us. They naturally include us in what they are doing. We stay involved and informed. We stay "part of".
• We freely give away our best ideas and our greatest wisdom; then, those who receive those ideas are compelled to give back. Our knowledge and wisdom continually increases, starting the virtuous cycle.
• We extend to others, ideas that are of true value, knowing that the universe reciprocates; it gives back. That's the law!

As a result, our wisdom, presence and power naturally increase. And, our ability to do good increases.

This practice has also been described as 'obsoleting' our lesser self (sometimes called the "egoic self"), in order to allow our higher Self to emerge (the divine essence within each of us). This practice allows us to be ourselves more fully, with greater clarity, confidence and boldness.

These ideas of virtuous vs vicious cycles relate to the idea that there are really only two thought-systems - ego-based or love-based; and they are mutually-exclusive. One thought-system drivers us into a vicious cycle, the other one empowers us to be part of a virtuous cycle. It is our choice.

The slide below is discussed in a series of training/learning videos for SRMs (strategic relationship managers). It uses the attributes of deity (The Creator) as a framework for exploring how self-Obsolescence works; it illustrates that as we give we receive, and then creativity is allowed to emerge; it fosters a "me with the world". Previously, in that same training (Module 3 - SRMs), this slide (linked here, but not included in this article) was discussed; in contrast, it illustrates a vicious cycle of getting, and forcing things to happen; it is "me against the world".

In this article, that you are reading right now, I am personally practicing self-Obsolescence. Click here and you will get a one-page document that has links to my SRM training/learning videos. I am freely sharing this with you, knowing that the universe will reciprocate.

In Module 3 - SRMs (@ 8:35), this practice of self-Obsolescence is described more fully. And, proof of the power of this practice is demonstrated in Module 5 - Accomplish the Impossible (@ 25:25). The results were proven out in the HP/SAP strategic alliance:

• The alliance team accomplished the impossible.
• I got a pay raise, stock options and a promotion.
• A virtuous cycle commenced, where boldness begets boldness ...

“A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: ‘We did it ourselves!’.”

- Lao Tzu

I would love to hear from you, because it is in dialogue where learning happens.