Where Do You Live?
Excerpt
This article explores the idea that something exceptional defines who you are and your entire background and experiences. It is unique to you and everything that you are. Read further to understand what characteristics about you can be this powerful. We can give you a few guesses, but we know that you will be surprised when you read what we consider to be profound. We believe this is one of the most profound ideas you will read in the next few years.
Intention
This article will allow you to grow your understanding and gain a new perspective. Before you read any further, we suggest that you consider three guiding principles. After having read them, you will have a basis for being open to new ideas.
Be open to new understanding
Background
Twenty years ago, I began a business relationship with Tex Johnston, who co-owned a coaching business. At our first meeting, we went to dinner and began discussing his background, and he asked me a question.
Bob, he said, “Where do you live?”
I gave him my address as my first response. He said, “No, that’s not it - try again.” So I gave him another answer, and he said: “No, That’s not it.” I was frustrated and asked him, “What is the answer, Tex?”.
He paused and said, “You live in your language!” I have now realized that his statement was one of the most profound things I have ever heard.
He wasn’t finished, though, and proceeded to say, “We are lazy and arrogant with our language.” To understand how people perceive your communications, ask in your communities (i.e., friends, family, church, colleagues, etc.) how they would rate your articulation on a scale of 0 to 10. When you do this, you will better understand how you are perceived.
Use this CAM Awareness Scale as a way to calibrate the answers you received from your inquiry into your communities.
Ponder What You Have Read
You may ask yourself, “What would this most unusual statement be important to me?”. Also, consider “How and what could I gain from exploring this further?” You may wonder what your communities would answer on the awareness scale about your communications.
Sharing my Own Exploration
After speaking to Tex, I began wondering how my communities would respond to me. I started asking. At first, I wasn’t happy with the answers because I was going in around 6 to 7. And since I was in the coaching business, I knew I needed improvement. I went back to Tex and asked him what I could do to improve myself.
He had some simple answers, the first of which was to read everything I could get my hands on. The second one was to journal, both business and personal, every day.
Here is a sample of one of my personal journals…
Here is a sample of my Benninghofen Company business journal Part 1
And Part 2 of the business journal…
Benefits of Reading and Journaling
In today's world, people under 40 rarely, if at all, read, and journaling would seem too old-school. After 40 years of reading and 20 years of journaling, the benefits stack up. While I took a speed reading course in college, hitting 750 words a minute at 90% comprehension, it has served me well.
I read scholarly works, art, medicine, history, politics, fiction(e.g., spy novels, science fiction, etc.), and nonfiction. Tex's suggestions have paid off in my ability to communicate, empathize, and communicate my ideas to people from all walks of life. I am working on my listening skills since many of my beliefs (effective or not) get in the way of my hearing what you are communicating.
Journaling has allowed me to peer deeper into my thinking and beliefs and to better understand what motivates me to do different things. I fail consistently at a number of things, but I consider all of them to be feedback that helps me improve.
Special Progress Note:
This blog is in its developmental stage. We want to know if it works and is believable and we invite your feedback. Our release team has approved it for publication. This article has meet at least an 8.5 on the CAM Awareness Scale and has been opened for comments.
