This website covers knowledge management, personal effectiveness, theory of constraints, amongst other topics. Opinions expressed here are strictly those of the owner, Jack Vinson, and those of the commenters.

Navel gazing - responsibility is the point

Navel Oranges

I've been listening to Megan Murray and Euan Semple's Shift podcast since its inception.  In Episode 35, they talk about a bunch of things (as usual) related to the idea of how people take on the idea of improvement - mostly around improving themselves and their business practices.

In this episode two masters at the art discuss navel gazing and how it might just be a key business skill for the future. 

The thing that struck me hard enough to do a quick blog post is the idea that some people get wrapped around the axel of self-improvement without thinking why.  On the opposite end are people who have no interest in self-improvement (but who are happy to point out situations in which they are unhappy).   

I have always liked the idea that if I am upset about something / someone, it is because something inside me is out of kilter.  It is not the other person / situation is necessarily wrong, but my take on it has me upset.*  In other words, it is my responsibility to figure out why that business meeting made me so angry, and then DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.  Take responsibility for which I have control, rather than pointing the finger at things I don't like.

To me this is the point of navel gazing, so that I can change those things over which I have control.  And where do I have control?   It's inside. 

* Yes, there are some world situations that are truly horrible, and I should be upset. But I think even there, what is my part in it? How can I make it better in my part of the world?

[Photo: "Navel Oranges" by Madhu Madhavan]

The Simpsons First-Impression Matrix

Be sincere, Be brief, Be seated