...A Fire To Be Kindled"

We completed watching the mini series From the Earth to the Moon last night and one of the flight directors offered this quote from Plutarch: “The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” He was explaining why the later Apollo missions had to be so much more than just getting to the moon, they had to have scientific purpose, a search for the origins of our own planet and I was very taken with the quote – had never heard it before. But you can Google it easily enough!

In this particular episode, it was delightful to watch the astronauts learning geology, asking new questions, developing an awareness of the landscape around them; it was equal delightful to watch the geology professor break through their minds, to light the fire – and it paid off in what the astronauts brought back from the moon.

 “…a fire to be kindled” -  I suppose that’s why our ALD mantra is You Never Stop Learning – we hopeto  kindle fires, not just fill vessels.

Don't Be Fearful of Trying a New Behavior

Most of us know how uncomfortable it can be to try a new behavior – think of any sport where you’ve developed habits, but it turns out they’re the wrong habits to really good at the swing or the return.

It’s the same for any new behavior we attempt to put in place – change is tough! Whether it’s:
• quit smoking
• rising earlier each day
• going to gym steadily
• giving feedback to your team members more regularly
• listening with intent to hear
• being more patient with others

– wow! The list can go on and on, can’t it?

To help make the transition, listen to my colleague, Meredith Bell’s video:

How to Go from Awkward to Automatic When Learning a New Behavior

You’ll appreciate the tips. I can also suggest that you sign up for the Golden Eggs Ezine where this kind of useful counsel is always provided – Golden Eggs arrives weekly, is free, yet worth so much more. Please register here and begin enjoying the golden nuggets.