The value of IGNORANCE....

...and especially of RECOGNIZING it. A Nobel Prize winning physicist confirms it!

A big ego can hinder you on your way to success....

How is that? Here's how a big ego can hinder you....

It's that attitude, "I know it all already!" -- when maybe you don't.

The idea "I know it all already!" could stop you from learning more.... That's because, you close your mind to learning new things with an attitude like this....

It's much better to be able to admit your ignorance.

The thought, "I know it all already" -- when you really don't -- is like carrying around a pot full of useless rocks. You could have used that pot to carry something useful, but now you can't because it's already full.... You could come across some gold or diamonds, but you can't take any of it because your pot is already chock-full of rocks....

However, knowing that you lack knowledge in SOME areas is like carrying around an empty pot. When you come across some gold, you have an empty pot to fill with it and enrich yourself!

This isn't just theory.... I see it a lot, in fact.... Admitting to yourself that you can still learn about something can be one of the most powerful tools there is!

It sounds contradictory, but I believe it's true....

Doubt leads to exploring new avenues, and discovering new things.... Which, when it comes to any activity (like business), means improving yourself and your business....

Here's how the Nobel Prize-winning physicist, Richard Feynman, explains it....

He wrote:

And it is of paramount importance, in order to make progress, that we recognize this ignorance and this doubt. Because [when] we have the doubt, we then propose looking in new directions for new ideas.....

If we were not able or did not desire to look in any new direction, if we did not have a doubt or recognize ignorance, we would not get any new ideas....

If you know you are not sure, you have a chance to improve the situation.

Click here to see Richard Feynman's more complete quote....

Ignorance can be a valuable thing, WHEN IT IS RECOGNIZED, because it is by recognizing your ignorance in certain areas that you can grow and improve yourself. And, in my view, one of the most destructive thoughts could be to think that you know everything....

NOBODY knows everything, and thinking that you do will just hinder you.

However, REALIZING that you could know something valuable is important too.... So having a clear picture of your own ignorance and knowledge are both extremely valuable things!

But everyone's written about the value of knowledge, so it's good to know that there is also some value in recognizing your own ignorance too.... :)

Dien Rice

> It's that attitude, "I know it all
> already!" -- when maybe you don't.

****Ahhhh, Yes! In my coaching practice I refer to this as "Listening from a Full Cup Perspective".

There is a fairly well known story that I tell people that goes like this....

There was a young seeker of wisdom, traveling the countryside to find a master teacher to instruct him. He considered himself a fine student, and only the best teacher would do.

He searched high and low, eventually arriving at the door of a revered teacher.

Upon meeting the teacher he asks, "Teacher, will you take me on as your student?"

The Teacher invites the seeker in, stating perhaps they could enter into a relationship, suggesting they share some tea first.

The Teacher prepares the tea service carefully and mindfully, while the student speaks to the Teacher, sharing his insights...trying to impress his wonderfulness upon the Teacher.

As the tea is ready, the Teacher begins speaking. He pours the Seekers cup....and the Seeker notices his cup is getting more and more and more full and in fact, it is just about to overflow...he says, "Teacher! Stop! My cup is overly full!!!"

The Teacher sets the Tea Pot down, and replies, "Yes, and you are like the cup. So full, there is no room for enlightenment."

I use this as a guideline for myself, when I hear myself listening from "The Full Cup"....I ask myself what is the message I am supposed to be learning? What new perspective might I hear? What new relationship might be forged? What is just a little bit different?

To "know it all" is saying "No" to enlightenment. Ouch! I would much rather be saying "YES!" to that!

With Purpose and Passion,

JULIE




Where is Your Passion?

Hi Dien:

> The idea "I know it all already!"
> could stop you from learning more.... That's
> because, you close your mind to learning new
> things with an attitude like this....

So true.

Also, the same applies to those that view everything as "I don't do it that way.. this is MY way" When people live by the "Queen of Hearts" syndrome (my way, my way) they also close the door to learning more.

I like to say that the mind, like a parachute, works best when open.

When I was a little girl, my grandpapa used to tell me:
"Little one, when you are listening you are learning. When you are talking, you are telling others what you have learned. Listen well and learn well and you will teach others well when you speak."

I have lived by those words. Sometimes I feel sad when I see people that do not know how to listen. You know.. the ones for whom "listening" means "waiting for their turn to speak"... but not really listening at all.

I pop over to this board everyday. I don't always post - but I always read. This board and the people here make me remember something else my grandpapa always said.

Mind if I share a story? I wrote this in 1998, and finally published it in 1999...

The Grey Knit Vest

When I was little, the sun rose & set on my Grandpapa. Frozen forever in time are memories of wire rimmed glasses and a grey knit vest that almost always had chocolate covered raisins in the left pocket. Grandpapa always read to me. I'd curl up beside him and listen, spellbound.

When Grandpapa got old & couldn't see well enough to read anymore, I read to him.
Agatha Christie. I'd read until his eyes closed and his head started to nod.

As I quietly got up, Grandpapa would reach into the pocket of his grey knit vest and pull out a box of chocolate covered raisins, pressing them into my teen-aged hand. Eyes still closed, he would whisper "I remembered".

Grandpapa always said things like; "You scratch my back an' I'll scratch yours," and "Share, little one. Sharing makes everything better." Somehow, everything always was better.

I'll never forget the call from the hospital. Grandpapa had suffered a massive stroke. Mom sobbing. Heartwrenching sobs. It was snowing that night. Great big fluffy snowflakes falling through the glow of the streetlight.

It's snowing this morning. Inevitable as the hands of time, big fluffy snowflakes fall through the glow of the streetlight. I sit and watch the snowflakes fall, walking down memory lane with a lump in my throat and a cup of coffee in my hands.

In the words of Ralph Waldo Emmerson, "I used to always think that I'd look back on us crying and laugh, but I never thought I'd look back on us laughing - and cry."

How wise the words, "Sharing makes everything better." The need to reach out to another human being is instinctive, and as necessary as the air that we breathe.

It is my sincere hope that sharing this story with you will inspire you to share something of yourself. A kind word to a stranger perhaps, or a compliment to someone that deserves one. It is these small acts of sharing, and caring, that make this world a better place.

As the sun rises on a new day, I leave you with this thought;

It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life
that no man can sincerely try to help another
without also helping himself.
(Ralph Waldo Emerson; 1803-1882)

by Linda Caroll
1999


To Gordon, Dien, Rick, Ricky and the rest of you.. thank you for sharing yourselves with all of us here.

Sincerely,
Linda Caroll




New... Ebook Covers!

Hi,

We've all seen "chest-thumpers" begin to believe the lavish praise of their followers (which is given to score freebies and not because it's the truth LOL). I've dubbed this phenomemon Chest-Thumper-itis. Later, the chest-thumpers' egos cause them to screw up, in public. "Pride goeth before a fall" or something like that.

If you don't believe me, let me direct you to:

Proverbs 11:2
Proverbs 29:23
Daniel 5:20
Mark 7:22

Hi Linda,

Thank you too for sharing with us your wonderful personal story.... It contains so much true advice.... Your grandfather was a remarkable person....

I believe there is a law of the universe, that if you give and if you're generous, then the world will be generous to you in return.... But if you are greedy, if you are a "scrooge" and miserly, then the world will also be miserly to you too....

And in terms of open-mindedness. the most successful physicists I've come across have had very open minds for new ideas.... They'll consider any kind of crazy idea, at least until they are sure it's not the way to go....

The less successful physicists I've come across tend to also be less open-minded, and will dismiss new ideas just because it doesn't fit in with their preconceptions....

I think this may be a universal principle....

Thanks Linda.... :)

Dien Rice

Thanks Julie!

That story is very concise and elegant... What a wonderful way to teach this principle!

Julie, you also gave some wonderful advice way down below.... I'll link to it below, since some may miss it....

Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us, Julie!

Dien Rice


More wisdom from Julie here.... and don't forget to check out her web site too.... :)

Linda wrote -

> To Gordon, Dien, Rick, Ricky and the rest
> of you.. thank you for sharing yourselves
> with all of us here.

And *thank you* for sharing that beautiful story. Not only can this lady design awesome web sites, she can write! If you haven't popped over to Linda's site to see what she can do for your site, I recommend you do so. Don't wait. Why? Well, it's simple. It's called time. There are only so many hours in each day. Because Linda and her crew are so good, they're getting pretty busy these days. So I'd get your request in before it's too late! Nope. I don't get one penny for that nor did Linda know that was coming. I just get the satisfaction that comes from referring others to a businessperson who does excellent work and who stands behind her work. What Linda's done so far for me is excellent. (Some of you have seen the preliminary versions.) I can't wait to see the finished product!

Rick Smith, "The Net Guerrilla"

Hi Rick!

> And *thank you* for sharing that beautiful
> story. Not only can this lady design awesome
> web sites, she can write! If you haven't
> popped over to Linda's site to see what she
> can do for your site, I recommend you do so.
> Don't wait. Why? Well, it's simple. It's
> called time. There are only so many hours in
> each day. Because Linda and her crew are so
> good, they're getting pretty busy these
> days. So I'd get your request in before it's
> too late! Nope. I don't get one penny for
> that nor did Linda know that was coming. I
> just get the satisfaction that comes from
> referring others to a businessperson who
> does excellent work and who stands behind
> her work. What Linda's done so far for me is
> excellent. (Some of you have seen the
> preliminary versions.) I can't wait to see
> the finished product!

I think I was sending you your zip file while you were posting this. *laughing*

Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment. It's much appreciated! You know those times when mere words just really cannot express the sheer delight in seeing or hearing something? That's pretty much how I felt when I read this post.
The words just don't exist to express the sense of appreciation I felt or the pride that I felt knowing my our work makes you feel that way.

From the bottom of my heart... thank you!

Have a good one... and let me know if you got the zip file okay.

Sincerely,
Linda




Your image - is my business

Linda wrote -

> I think I was sending you your zip file
> while you were posting this. *laughing*

Well, you can't beat that! And I got it. And what I've seen looks great!

And in case anyone reading this is wondering when they'll see the final result, I've got some site restructuring to do but I may put some samples up first and ask you folks to critique them.

And I meant what I said about Linda's work. I told her once during a phone conversation that she should consider using "Web Designer to the Stars" as her tagline. Of course, she's too modest to say that but it's true. She's done web sites for movie stars and Internet stars. And I guarantee you would recognize some of the names for whom she has done work.

Rick Smith, "The Net Guerrilla"