If You Lick A Flagpole In Winter

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all -- Helen Keller When you read the title, did you finish the sentence with, "Your tongue will be frozen to it?" :) I bet many of you did. :) I know I would have! I was recently reminded of a book I loved called, _When You Lick A Slug, Your Tongue Goes Numb_. It's a book of wisdom, kid style. It came to mind as I was thinking of all the things that I learned in childhood (and adulthood, for that matter!).... some that were real and based in fact, and some I've always carried around with me, *assuming* they have some factual basis, when, in truth, they might not. And to some extent, these things, the real and the not-so-real, form a basis for decisions I make and the things I do and don't do. I'm sure yours do too. I'm sure there are things you've carried around with you for years, sure that they were truths, but ..... you really don't *know* that they are (like what would happen if you licked a slug!). So, I'm challenging myself, and all of you, to take a look at the assumptions you hold that might not serve you. Locked into every frame of reference, there are silent assumptions you make. Sometimes they're right on. Sometimes they lead you down the wrong path. By challenging them, and/or throwing them out, you open yourself to seeing a whole new perspective. One that might serve you much better. To challenge your assumptions, consider questions like: -=- Does it really have to be done here? Why not somewhere else? -=- Have I tried it? If not, why not? If so, but not for a long time, why not try it again now that I'm older/different? -=- Was I taught this was a wrong/bad thing to do? Have I made decisions about it because of that? What do I really KNOW about it? Why not learn more now that I make my own decisions? -=- Just because it's always been done this way, is there any reason it can't be done another way? This is a HUGE one. Often, in the workplace, especially when we're new, we're told something has to be done a certain way. Why? Because it's always been done that way. So the next time we're told to do something a certain way, we don't even think twice... we don't challenge the assumption that is has to be done that way.... and so nothing new ever happens and we get shoved further and further into our "box." If You Lick A Flagpole In Winter, page 2 And my personal favorite: -=- If it's something no one has ever done before, how would I go about doing it? I love that one. It really frees me to brainstorm possibilities! Another thing we do to ourselves is make assumptions that keep us locked into absolute non-action. Often, we think we need to do A before we do B. I have to lose 30 pounds before I can learn to scuba dive. I have to do my work before I can go to the movie. I have to eat dinner before I have dessert. I have to take dance lessons before I go country line dancing. I have to have a finish my degree before I let my Manager know that I'm interested in that job. He won't take me seriously otherwise. I have to be making more money before I can start a savings plan. Sometimes, that's not necessary. I'd venture to say that a lot of the time it's not necessary. The "A" part is the assumption that keeps us from doing what we want. Somewhere along the way we learned that we had to do things a certain way, or we'd most likely do one of two things: fail or get hurt (emotionally or physically). Now I don't advocate tossing aside the "A" things that truly protect your safety, however most of the things we block ourselves off with aren't probably safety issues. Eudora Welty said, "All serious daring starts from within." So look inside. Check in with what you think you know, and then consider just jumping in with both feet! What would happen if you skipped A and went right to B? What would happen if you saw a better/different way to do something and suggested it? Is there really a reason to stop yourself from having what you want? Challenge your assumptions. Be brave and daring. See what parts of the world your old thoughts might be keeping you from. You might find joy and great rewards where you least expect them!