Unlearning – Getting Rid of Inherited Habits
Posted by Justin Popovic on June 23, 2010 · 11 Comments
I thought the title “Unlearning” would be the most appropriate way to describe this.
There are so many things that we all do and so many beliefs that we all carry around that come from our parents and their parents and so on. Many of them have absolutely no validity by today’s standards yet we can still become imprisoned by them.
Check out my conversation with Brad Gosse about unlearning inherited habits and thought processes.
Right on lads. Great topic.
Great Topic guys…the Unlearn for me is that 9-5 is the only time I should be working, who says you need to work in the morning to make money, or you have to stop at 5 o’clock. I’m finding that my most productive times are from 7am- till noon and then from 8pm till 11pm.
Garry
NICE one Garry. I think you will get a lot of people agreeing with you on this one. I have been my own boss for almost 3 years and I still sometimes struggle with this concept… I think it is so ingrained into our societal norms. But you’re right, who’s to say when the best time to work is? I say, work when you are in the flow, 9am, 9pm, 3am whatever!
I just thought of another one….people need to Unlearn that “work” and “job” are not bad words. A friends dad is a scratch golfer, if he put some time or effort into he he could’ve become at the very least a semi-pro golfer but he chose to only play occasionally…his reasoning was that if he “worked” at it then it would become a “job” and all the fun would’ve been taken out of playing…
How can doing something you enjoy and you’re good at ever become a “job”
Garry
Nice one! Well said. Great distinction too
Good topic guys!
The habits I have inherited from parents are “get a good secure well paying job” and stick to it!
Save as much as you can for a rainy day.Dont live beyound your means, get a good education and the list goes on.
My parents were risk adverse and looked out for security and lived a modest life.
I guess they lived through part of the great depression something none of us have experienced.
From what I have been told the GFC is nothing in comparrison.
My father was very handy with his hands he was an A grade mechanic and could just about fix anything, I am embarrassed to say that I am just about the opposite and need help with any sort of repairs around the home.
I still mow my own lawns so perhaps I dont value my time enough? Hey I guess I also live a modest life.
So I have learned many habits and believes from parents, the challenge is to question whether these believes are serving me or not. If not what am I prepared to do about them?
Twitter: stanmyoung
Great feedback Stan. You are definitely not alone in the way you have been trained to think in your lifetime. Its great to see you challenging assumptions and beliefs and exploring new ideas and new ways of thinking.
Hi Justin and Brad,
I can certainly relate to what you’ve said and in particular Stan’s comment. It’s amazing to see what we were told as children and take it as gospel truth, but often the advice we were given doesn’t apply to the changing world we live in, or even to our own changing lives. People grow and change and so what you learned before may no longer apply to your current life or what you want for your future. In that way, it’s very important to examine your beliefs and ‘unlearn’ those things that no longer serve you.
Great advice!
Karen
Twitter: kruby
Well said Karen. Totally agree. Thanks for the comment
I think the biggest thing I am trying to unlearn is just trying to be in control of everything.
Sometimes I want to outsource things and sometimes I am afraid of not getting the work I want done correctly. And I know that one of the principles of success is having other around you that can do a better job or know more than you in a certain field that you lack experience or knowledge.
How would you guys attack this problem or fear?
I think you just have to try it out. Get a small project and delegate a huge chunk of the project. See how it goes.
Also, you might want to watch our discussion on this blog video:
http://www.igniteyouressence.com/videos/leverage-your-time-when-to-outsource-work/