What’s the problem with comfort zone living? Well, absolutely nothing if I’m content to stay right where I am for as long as I live!
This blog entry is composed of my personal, weekday posts on LinkedIn between May 10 and May 14, 2021.
Well duh!
Some statements are hard to dispute. For example, don’t risk more than you can afford to lose. Or, don’t risk a lot to gain a little.
In Proverbs 6, having an extra-marital affair fits into the risk-a-lot-gain-a-little category, I believe.
Specifically, Proverbs 6.27-28 ask two questions about playing with fire, where the answer should be obvious. Play with fire, get burned.
So, as a leader, don’t ignore fundamentals like this. Don’t believe the lie that the rules don’t apply to you. Don’t be the leader about whom people say, “Well duh!”
The foolishly overconfident are convinced they’re never wrong. Worse yet, the foolishly overconfident don’t learn from experiences. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Sense-maker or simple-minded?
What good is sense making? That is, what’s the value of understanding what is? Well, for starters, sense-makers recognize what’s for real and what’s most relevant.
Likewise, Proverbs 7.4 and Proverbs 7.7 note how the ability to make sense of things cures simple-mindedly believing everything.
Thus, we’re encouraged to become sense-makers or else remain simple-minded. Gee, what a choice!
I build sense-making skills through deliberate practice and persistence. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Am I discrete?
Recently, I was on the receiving end of an awkward comment.
This past weekend I was a first-time visitor in a group. They knew I was visiting, but didn’t know details about me.
Someone made a negative comment about “liberal college professors” as part of a discussion on societal challenges. As it turns out, I’m a retired college professor!
Now, Proverbs 25.11 points out the high value of saying the right thing, at the right time, in an appropriate setting.
Granted, it’s not possible to know everything about everyone when you’re speaking. However, it is possible, with deliberate effort, to be discrete in what, when, and how I speak.
My ticket into a discerning character is a precept-driven life. proverbsforprofessionals.net
The problem with comfort-zone living
Where do I choose to live? An ancient precept says being teachable brings new knowledge.
However, the assumption is I’m willing to act on that new knowledge.
I believe that comfort-zone living simply confirms my lifestyle beliefs and practices. As such, I stay right where I am!
Unless my existing habits are challenged by truth that’s new to me I remain the same. Conversely, a growth mindset is open to new knowledge. It’s not closed off to the truth.
Similarly, Proverbs 12.1 says a growth mindset absorbs new knowledge, whereas a fixed mindset hates to be corrected.
Openness to new knowledge, through a willingness to challenge ingrained habits that don’t serve me well is a form of deliberate practice. As such, I’m pushing beyond the edge of my current competencies by absorbing and applying new knowledge.
The choice is obvious, continue with comfort-zone living or choose to grow – intentionally!
The precepts are those unchanging, fundamental principles that span all time, cultures, and religions. proverbsforprofessionals.net
What’s in it for us?
Pride is the root cause of interpersonal conflict, according to Proverbs 13.10. However, it also says If I listen to good advice I know what to do.
One assumption is I’m willing to ask for and consider good advice when dealing with conflict. A second assumption is I step back, thus give some space to consider options before responding.
So, I should ask myself questions like:
1). “How much is this fight worth to me?”
2). “What’s the best outcome for all involved?”
In short, “What’s in it for us?” What happens if I stop viewing every encounter as a zero-sum game?
If you’re active on LinkedIn, please follow my posts there. Look me up at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-young-proverbs-for-professionals/
