One of the most often asked questions I receive during podcast interviews is, “What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?”
This is actually one of the easiest questions for me to answer. There are two pieces of advice.
The first is, “listen a lot more…and speak a lot less.” (Both were definitely issues.)
But, it’s the second one that’s the biggie. I’d relate — with an exclamation mark in my voice — to “younger Burg” one of my all-time favorite sayings:
“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”
I don’t know who originally said that. Mark Twain is often credited. While he said something somewhat similar in one of his books, he didn’t quite say that.
Regardless, in my opinion, it’s brilliant, and it’s something I wish I’d known those many years ago when I thought I knew it all.
What a difference-maker that would have been!
At 20, I was absolutely, positively, and without question certain that I knew how the world worked and what people thought. And, why they were wrong.
It call came down to what I thought; no, what I knew. And, what I knew that I knew.
Except that it turned out I didn’t. Not even close. I ended up being so very wrong about so many things.
As human beings, we make decisions and judgements based on very, very limited information.
We tend to do this well after we are 20 years old. I did. I’m sure I still do.
Sometimes, what we know that “just ain’t so” simply fits the belief system in which we grew up. Other times it’s the beliefs and words of our friends, teachers, peer group, political party, or even those things our favorite media personalities believe.
Of course, there are times when what we know for sure is indeed true. But I suspect that’s far less often than we’d like to believe.
The good news is that the moment we become aware of this phenomenon of human nature, we can take steps to correct it.
My friend, leadership authority Jesse Lyn Stoner, tweeted:
“Instead of believing everything you think, think about what you really believe.”
Screenwriter and producer Britt Michaelian tweeted:
“Whatever it is that you resist can only be effectively transcended if you question every ‘certainty’ along the way.”
And, 100 years earlier, iconic playwright George Bernard Shaw tweeted (only kidding) ;-):
“Progress is impossible without change, and those that cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
The above quotes remind me of how my 20-year-old self absolutely knew what he knew… that just wasn’t so.
Seems we see this constantly these days on television, social media, and pretty much wherever people meet in person. And from all the various points of view, right?
Not only would I like to see more respectful and civil communication between those with opposing viewpoints; I’d like to see us questioning our own beliefs just to make sure that what we absolutely know for sure…really IS so.
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Such great advice, Bob. It’s easy to see how this applies to so many aspects of life, but it’s especially important to entrepreneurs and people who sell. How often do we assume things about a prospective client–and later discover we’re totally off-base! Whether we make assumptions about pain points or budget or turnaround time…our assumptions can really get in the way of making a real human connection with the person we’re talking to.
Thank you, Kathleen. Fantastic insights you provided. Indeed, not only do we see the world through our own set of beliefs but we unconsciously assume that others (including our sales prospects) do, as well. Once we move from an “I” or “Me-Focus” to an “Other-focus” new we create the environment for understanding their needs and wants. Thanks again!
Hi Bob,
Funny you should mention this subject today! I think as I age, I have kept adding to my trunk of stuff I have been certain of. .. only to find that it often needs amending, and sometimes discarding entirely!
Thank you!
Anita Casalina
Hi Anita. Likewise, my friend. Likewise. The older I get the more I realize just how much I truly don’t know…but think I do. 🙂
So well said, Bob! And so important during these divisive times. Another things I like to say is: if you’re so sure you’re right that you can’t even listen to another view, you’re probably wrong.
Jesse, thank you so much for your kind feedback, and for allowing me to use your quote in the post. And, I love the one you just wrote above, as well. Brilliant, my friend!
What a GREAT article – and GREAT issue you touch here. We often assume, based on earlier experience, in stead of really LOOKING at what we have in front of us. You are right we should listen more and observe more, and not take things for granted – LOVE this Bob. Thank’s for the reminder. And congratulations with being on the list of the most influential authors 2017. YOU ARE AWESOME!
Hi Lene, as always, thank you for your kindness and positive feedback. You have a way of always making people feel good about themselves, and I appreciate that! So glad you enjoyed the article. I think it’s something we all struggle with; most of us just don’t realize we struggle with it. :-). And, thank you for your kind congrats. Am deeply honored to be named to that list!
Thoughtful, as always, Bob. I wonder if we look back at what we are doing right now in 20 more years and also think “how much I didn’t know!” I sure hope so – I want to always be learning. Thanks for the insight this morning.
Hi Skip, thank you, my Brother. Appreciate your feedback. And, yes, I suspect that will indeed be the case! LOL!
“What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?” – I would tell my younger self not to worry so much about the future. If I would have spent less time worrying and more time actually building my future, I’d definitely be one step ahead.
Thank you, Frederik. Appreciate your feedback. A time and place for everything, right?