Twofer Tuesday: On Overcoming Internal Conflict & Mastering Creative Pursuits
??Michael Bungay Stanier
I'm best known for 'The Coaching Habit' ... the best-selling book on coaching this century. ?? Now, it's Change Signal: finding the good stuff that works in change (pod & newsletter). Also, a Rhodes Scholar.
Here at Box of Crayons, we’ve spoken with many high achievers who prove time and again that the secret to success lies in shaking things up. That idea is exactly what we explore in this week’s Twofers. The first article looks at the importance of adjusting behaviours to ensure that they align with our goals. The second highlights why creativity is about much more than just repetition and practice.
Self-Definition: How to Live Your True Life
Have you ever heard the saying “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting”?
Our actions, our behaviours, translate directly into results. When those actions conflict with our values and goals, the results can’t possibly get us where we want to go; instead, they usually lead to depression, confusion and a sense of being lost.
None of us is perfect. I admit it: I don’t always behave in alignment with my goals. (I’m not above the occasional bout of procrastination! And let’s not even get into any dietary indiscretions over the holidays …)
But it’s not about perfection. It’s about assessing our behaviours and making the effort to support our values and goals as much as possible. That’s the only way to achieve our objectives.
“If you want to be successful, you have to act successful.”
Read: Tell Me What You Did Today, and I’ll Tell You Who You Are
Practice Makes Perfect? A Creative Reinterpretation
We’re all familiar with the 10,000-hour rule, right? Malcolm Gladwell’s notion that all it takes to master any field is roughly 10 years of deliberate practice.
Turns out, that principle may not hold true for all fields. When it comes to less defined, more creative pursuits, success is less about practice and more about innovation — striking out, taking risks and not being afraid to explore the road untravelled.
Read: Creativity Is Much More Than 10,000 Hours of Deliberate Practice
Psst: Have you joined our Tools for the Time-Crunched Manager LinkedIn group? It’s designed to inspire and help you conquer the day-to-day challenges of your workday.
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS POST, YOU'LL ALSO LIKE:
- Twofer Tuesday: On Busyness & Improving Your Profile
- Twofer Tuesday: On Engagement & Productivity
- My One Best Question, Episode 19
- Twofer Tuesday: On Change Management and Bean Counting
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ABOUT MICHAEL BUNGAY STANIER & BOX OF CRAYONS
Michael Bungay Stanier is the Senior Partner and Founder of Box of Crayons, a company that helps people and organizations do less Good Work and more Great Work. It's best known from its coaching programs that give busy managers the tools to coach in 10 minutes or less.
Download free chapters of Michael's latest book The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever here.
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