Many of my posts this #atozchallenge have been about navelgazing reflecting: what I like, what I want to do, the meaning of life…
This one’s no different – I’ve been thinking about what I need to improve, and how I’m going to improve.
From The Little Big Things: 163 Ways to Pursue EXCELLENCE by Tom Peters (2010)
119. Out-Study ’Em! Tennis coach Brad Gilbert was once the #4-ranked pro in the world. But he was no natural. His breakthrough came (after a very spotty career that was about to tank early) when he acknowledged to himself that he wasn’t a natural. His response could have been to kick his racket into the grandstands. Instead, it was to hit the books.
Or, rather, write one.Gilbert was the guy who, when the other guys went for a beer after a match, hung around watching more matches, talking tennis with anyone and everyone…and writing it all down. (Remember Branson’s hundreds of notebooks?) He began his black book, taking notes on everything, especially other players he’d faced, or players he might face. The result: that eventual #4 ranking, followed by a superb coaching career, working with the likes of Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick.
No surprise, one of Gilbert’s coaching secrets has been continuing his own studies, as well as converting his players into students (sometimes no mean feat…with those “naturals”). Coach Gilbert acknowledges that there may be a few, like John McEnroe, who can get away without hitting the books…but for us mortals that’s scant consolation.
This surely translates in 2010, one for one, to the World of Work you and I participate in. I loved these lines from New York Times columnist Tom Friedman: “When I was growing up, my parents used to say to me: ‘Finish your dinner—people in China are starving.’ I, by contrast, find myself wanting to say to my daughters: ‘Finish your homework—people in China and India are starving for your job.’” Tennis or finance or engineering or bartending…this “simple” lesson bears repeating. (A bartender pal may, in fact, be the most assiduous student I know—and it pays off and pays.)Study!
Study!
Study!
Age 27?
Study!
Age 47?
Study!
Age 67 (me)?
Study!
Study!
(And then study some more!)
(I’m studying harder now than I did at the beginning of my “guru” career—the market is tougher and things are moving faster!)
(And I’ve truly redoubled my study efforts as the recession gained a head of steam—the gigs left are frightfully competitive.)
I don’t know that I want to compete with anyone but myself. I made notes (of my observations and thoughts) when I started my current job, and it’s been very interesting to go back and read over them again. I’m amused (and amazed) by what I noticed – problems I noted then are still problems now – and how keen I was at the start. Over time I’ve perhaps gotten weighed down by things?
I really ought to study myself more – make more notes and observations as I go.
And over time I find I’m reading a lot more of the management literature (although I have to say, I don’t seem to read these books from cover to cover). Blogs are good too. Also, books on writing, design, art and travel. Oh, and histories, and biographies. And poetry. Lots of poetry.
(Not reading much library literature though. Hmmm…)
I can’t tell where I’m going to find tips and hints on how to Do Better.