You’re Not That Smart! Accept This Fact First.
May 29th, 2007, by Michael StelznerLast Wednesday, I was standing in front of 30 engineers and said, “Believe it or not, you don’t know it all!”
Then today, I was over at the Simplenomics blog and read, “No matter how good you are at what you do, there’s someone out there who can teach you something.”
Finding a fresh idea in your head is like fishing for tuna in shallow waters.
When I used to work at Sears, the guy in carpets used to always say, “The biggest room is the room for improvement.”
So, the question of the day: How do we actually go about the process of improving our knowledge?
I am by no means a pro in this area, but here are a few pointers (and I welcome yours as well):
- Look back: By simply reading what people have said, you can make connections to new ideas or come up with a new spin on old ideas. I just read a review of a book written in 1984. You ask, “How can a 20 plus year old book be of any value?” We need to remember that although great stuff is written every day, many of the greatest insights are timeless. Look back for your inspiration.
- Ask somebody: We hate asking for directions. Realize that studies show that many people spend more than half their time searching the Internet and reading new information. When you consider there are only so many hours in the day, you must realize that by asking a few people the right questions, you will certainly find some great information.
- Listen: The art of listening is lost. When someone speaks to you (on paper or in person), are you really listening? Lean forward, make eye contact and in your head, ask yourself, “What can I take home from what I am hearing.” Write down what matters. If you can, ask questions, and repeat back what you are hearing.
The three above tactics will be of no use if you first don’t acknowledge that you know very little. Accept this fact and then go about seeking.
How do you seek inspiration and ideas?
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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May 29th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Great post!
I need to work on this listening suggestion.
May 29th, 2007 at 11:55 am
After we acknowledged that we know very little and get some new knowledge, we have to ask ourselves where does it fit into what we already know. This helps us to connect things together.
That, however, comes later. First we have to “empty our cup of tea”.
Thanks for reminding us that.
May 29th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Hi Grigor;
Thanks for your comments!
The hardest part for many is admitting they lack all the knowledge they need.
Mike
May 29th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
I think a lot of people are afraid to ask for fear that they will be perceived to be stupid.
I get my inspiration from small things: the morning shower, a song on the radio, a slogan in a commercial. Sometimes a phrase here or there jogs a thought which gets me going in a creative direction.
Have you ever heard a song that reminds you of someone, then you get a phone call from that person? It’s kinda like that.
Jonathan
May 29th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Jonathan - You are on to something about people being afraid to ask. That fear is what prevents many people from being creative!
So let me ask you, have you found my blog to be dirt slow today? - Mike
May 29th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Michael,
Thanks. I needed to read this today. I’m always beating myself up for not coming up with something new and creative, and then I watch people succeed using tactics and information I’ve read a 1000 times. Why don’t I use the same tactics and information? Probably because I’m not as smart as I think I am.
May 29th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
If Seth sent you a copy of his new book, you must be a smart guy in his eyes
He was conveniently “out” of reviewer copies for me.
Thanks for stopping in Steve and I hope you will come again.
Mike
May 29th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Thanks for the link leak Mike.
To answer your last question, I never go looking for inspiration or ideas. Never.
That kind of pressure is what slows down my system.
What I do is let my mind know what to look for, what I need it to find an answer for and then I let it go and wait for it to find it.
That’s how I end up finding split testing advice in a Big 80’s song and all the other simple, yet effective, solutions I come up with.
There’s good and bad there.
The bad is no Fortune 500 company will ever pay me for my marketing advice.
The good is no Fortune 500 company will ever pay me for my marketing advice.
Thanks again for the link and I appreciate you reading my blog.
May 30th, 2007 at 6:53 am
Hey Mike;
Interesting strategy.
You must listen to a lot of 80’s music.
I used to listen to Pet Shop Boys far more than I care to admit.
But I never saw the split test.
I guess I need to turn on my radio.
Mike
May 30th, 2007 at 7:30 am
Interesting post, Michael. There’s so much fascinating information and insight out there for me to learn (and experience) that I generally don’t know where to begin: the Internet, the library, the people around me, continuing education courses. One of the things I love most about being a writer in the software industry is that I have the freedom to explore and learn new things every day. I’m surrounded by many wonderfully insightful people and have many new avenues to explore; I sometimes find it difficult to get down to business and write about the stuff I already know about.
May 30th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Michael,
Excellent question. One thing I do is read — I read *everything* — even stuff that at first glance as no bearing on my life or my job. I find just about everything of interest. Right now I’m following the sub-prime lending mess. Fascinating stuff!
But I also know I don’t know everything — and am not afraid to ask questions.
May 30th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Hi Dianna - You are smart. Why? Because you acknowledge your need to keep reading. Thanks for stopping in Dianna. - Mike
May 31st, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Keeping a sense of openness to all possibilities is the key for me.
There is a magical video from the photo-journalist Dewitt Jones called ” Everyday Creativity.” In it he presents a powerful concept he calls, “The Next Right Answer. ” It illustrates that there is always more than one “right” approach to anything, and often our best ideas are the ones where we reach past the first solution we find.
I keep this thought in mind whenever I am faced with learning about something new It helps me dig past the surface information I may come up with and keeps me open to fresh ideas.
It reminds me that although I’ve been doing what I’ve been doing a long time (which upon more than one occasion has erroneously led me to think I know what I’m talking about); each person’s journey in life is unique and therefore we can learn something from everyone. Staying open is essential. You never know when the thread of someone else’s knowledge can weave into the cloth of your own ideas and make them stronger.
May 31st, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Kate - Great insight and thanks for providing it! - Mike
June 12th, 2008 at 5:09 am
this post inspirits me to work on my listening. I like your idea to ask somebody directly instead of spending hours on seaching the internet