On Conventional Wisdom [book excerpt]
Sharing a thought on the role of conventional wisdom from Chapter 3 of Career Renegade:
For the Career Renegade, conventional wisdom is actually a great asset. It thins the herd of competitors, leaving only those who choose to blaze their own path, rather than follow another’s. It creates space for those who lead with passion to truly shine.
Your first challenge is to understand this, to see conventional wisdom as simply the first of many tests, the collective presumptions of other people who have not been able to succeed in their own quests. Or, even more likely, a reflection of an unwillingness to ever try. Know this, accept it. Then resolve to move beyond it.
So, what do you think?
3 comments
POSTED IN: Career advice, Entrepreneurship, Mindset, Speaking | 04/2/09
Thanks for the great quotes as excerpts from your book. Conventional wisdom is good, but to differentiate yourself from the pack (herd) it’s necessary to think outside the box.
Jonathan do you think that conventional wisdom and security are closely related? Insecurity seems to be the big brother here,”a reflection of an unwillingness to ever try”.It has taken me years to venture into the unknown-now that I am there I thrive on it.
From your book “Anxiety is the dizziness of FREEDOM” is my new motto!
Ken
My favorite sport to do – kayaking – is traditionally taught through the auspices of “conventional wisdom.” Nearly every fundamental rule of kayaking I teach/promote/live by is a counter-intuitive concept in most kayak instructional circles. The breakthrough moments experienced through counter-intuitive ideas happen at the edges, not the center. Career Renegading happens at the edges too. But to get the edges, you still have to know where the center/conventional thinking lives and exists. When you get that, the counter-intuitive path to the edges and breaking through becomes much more clear.
Great stuff, Jonathan!