Be a Sponge: YOUR CRAWL

When we are born, we have so much to learn, but wanting something seems to be just a part of who we are. When a baby wants something, they go for it. If restrained, they cry until someone helps them get it. If that doesn’t work, they cry louder. If that doesn’t work, they scream. They can be relentless. They don’t question if it is possible or not. They want and keep doing until they find a way or someone helps them get what they want. When did we lose that?

Picture a baby spotting something it wants across a room. What do they do to get it? Everything they can think of! As adults, we have the capacity to think and more creativity to draw from, yet our brains limit our desire and actions. Why? 

When I was born, I was born with a clubfoot. If you are unfamiliar, it is a birth defect that affects about 1 in 1,000 babies. It means that your heel is turned downward, and the front part of your foot is turned inward. There is no known cause, but mom’s Catholic guilt was present, making her feel like somehow it was her fault. In the 1960s, many doctors did not want to do anything for me until I was a teenager. My mom was relentless until she found Dr. Karin, who would treat me. It was surgery, casts, and overstretching for years to straighten out.

I was operated on at an early age, and I wore a cast for a long time. As a result, my left foot did not develop and grow as quickly. This forced me to have to get special shoes, two different sizes for many years. I also had to wear a metal bar between my two feet, forcing my left foot to slowly twist to its proper position. Kind of works the way braces slowly straighten your teeth.

Being transparent, I only have fleeting memories of those times, but my mom, like no mother, will never forget watching her child struggle. I’m sure it was hard for her to watch. She also will not forget the small triumphs along the way. Those little victories that are cherished and warm the heart.

As an adult, my family tells me stories of how, when I wanted something, it did not matter that I was wearing a cast as an infant. I just crawled after it, dragging my little cast behind me. What was your “cast” when you were growing up? Was it visible like mine or invisible like many?

The bigger question is, how did we start learning not to walk or crawl after that thing we really wanted? If someone told us back then, “no,” we wouldn’t listen. We want to spend more time with those people who are giving the ideas and strategies to get there and stop listening to those who say, “No.” If you are a Least Likely, then this is the mindset we need to get back to. We need to run, walk, or crawl for what we want. We need to make it our mission to go after what we want and drag our cast with us. The baby doesn’t worry about how long it takes to get what it wants. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says to the baby; the baby crawls forward.

Picture a group of adults in a large room with plush carpeting, all intent and focused on conversations. On the floor, you see an infant wearing a cast who spots a shiny red ball far across the room. The infant doesn’t even think; it just starts moving. The seemingly wise adults are discussing and researching why this infant, me, was born with a club foot. While they were conversing, I reached out with my little left hand to grab more carpet in front of me to help pull me forward. While others discussed what I would not be able to do, I brought my little knee forward to my other hand. While some were feeling bad for me and looking on in sorrow, I was reaching with my right hand for another handful of carpet to grasp. While people were whispering about me, I brought my other knee forward. While people were discussing how unfortunate it was, I dragged my cast behind me.

Attention adults, stop yapping, kick the ball closer or, better yet, look at your own life as to why you are not moving towards your shiny red ball. We train the child these ridiculous limiting things. We teach kids not to dream. Why? Because it’s not realistic. That is for other people, which often can be valid unless you develop the Least Likely Mindset. It starts by thinking like that infant. 

My friend and mentor, Mike Rayburn, asked his young audience if they thought there was discrimination, sexism, racism, and injustice in the past? They replied, “Yes.” Do you believe there is discrimination, sexism, racism, and injustice today? They replied, “Yes.” Do you think there is discrimination, sexism, racism, and injustice in the future? “Yes,” again. Mike said, “What does that mean to you, personally?” Succeed anyway!

Once you discover your cast, acknowledge it, lean forward and grab a fist full of carpet and pull. While others talk and discuss, grab another fist full and pull. 

What is the Principle?

• What is your cast of the past? Ask yourself, “How can I succeed, anyway?” Keep asking! You’ll get new answers at random times. That is what the least Likely does. They don’t have time to focus on being a victim.
• When was the last time you saw an infant go for what they want? Seriously think about it. Did they persist? Did they change tactics? Did they keep going despite being told, “No!” Did they not know what was good for them?
• What can that infant teach us?
• What do they not know that we have to unlearn? (Yes, that is deep! I suggest you take a moment to reflect on that.)
• Yeah, they are an infant, and they don’t realize they shouldn’t. They don’t know they are not supposed to. They don’t know it’s not good for them. They don’t know the consequences. They don’t understand life. 

What if not knowing we shouldn’t is the first lesson of the Least Likely

What do you take from this?

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"This article originally appeared on Darren LaCroix's blog"

About Darren LaCroix

Through his live master workshops and online programs, Darren works with presenters eager to learn what it takes to connect deeply with their audiences. He is the founder of StageTimeUniversity.com where we help passionate presenters standout, deliver a memorable message, and leave their audience wanting more."