W.I.N. Wednesday: Lessons From Life's Most Powerful Question - Building a ship?
"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea"
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
This quote is consistent with Simon Sinek's theory on "Start with Why". In both his book and his TED talk Sinek makes a strong case that before you get to how and what you need to start with why. I believe this is true in sales, in business and in life.
If you want to make significant and lasting changes in your life you need to start with why and "long for the endless immensity of the sea". This is the reason most people fail to stick with New Years resolutions. They only focus on the what (lose weight, work out more, quit drinking) without first creating an impelling why.
When I work with people using Performance Enhancement Imagery (PEI) or teach PEI to trainers and coaches one of the keys is to find out from the person who is benefitting from the imagery, "Why is this change important to you?" Without a compelling why (for them, not for anyone else), the how and what will fade away and the change will not last.
If you want to inspire people in your organization to pursue excellence or gather support for your cause start by teaching them to long for the immensity of the sea; start with why.
If you want to make lasting changes in your life, first determine why it is important to YOU.
Take care.
Brian Willis
Committed to the pursuit of excellence through Life's Most Powerful Question - What's Important Now?
Contact me at winningmind@mac.com if you would like to have speak to your team, your organization or at your conference.