Familiarity does NOT equal knowledge. Familiarity often makes a job more difficult. Perhaps because it seems so simple. It seems so routine.
It’s a challenge to rise above the familiarity and move beyond the norm.
I was getting ready to share a keynote speech for one of my favorite clients of 15+ years. Know them. Love them. Know their nuances. Love their servant leadership style. I thought I was ready, but I was simply ready to learn.
My usual request for input from a handful of attendees had some interesting responses about changes — things I would have never dreamed this group would be facing. I thought I knew this group. I realized I knew what this group HAD been, but not what they were in the midst of a major transition. What a learning opportunity! What a great time to examine what seems familiar.
What challenges or routines seem familiar but have recently felt a little different? Who do you regularly interact who seems a bit stressed?
In our jobs, in our relationships, in our routines what are those things that are too comfortable? Those things we are too familiar? Ask some hard questions:
- Am I too comfortable?
- Have I simply found the “EASY” button?
- What events are happening around this activity?
- What are the trends impacting this situation?
It’s not a quest to champion change. It’s a dutiful response to a world that continues to change. It’s a commitment to keep learning and growing. It’s not being disheartened and shocked.
It’s being consistently proactive and mindfully present!
Do you really have knowledge of your situations and relationships? Or are you just comfortable and familiar?
Be mindfully present and hopefully you’ll become proactively knowledgeable!
