Habits can save time and energy by freeing your mind. Habits also can dehumanize you by cementing you in old ruts and grooves. The difference between conscious autonomy and groping enslavement is our power of choice. Stepping back and watching what we are doing is a necessary ingredient in making choices that are self-directing. I believe that self-direction is an elemental component of both leadership and professional practice.
Leadership enjoys much attention today and is an important skill in the 21st century. I am wondering why self-leadership does get not get as much air time? Do you think a person can be a good leader before he or she masters the art of self-leadership? Before he or she has learned to make choices that are self-directing? Can a person be a good leader acting only from habit? What do you think?
When we have a law practice or mediation practice we are able to expand our expertise partly because we grow in unconscious competence; we don't need to think much about many tasks because they become a part of us, they become well-worn pathways in our brains. Is there a possible danger in the unconscious part of the competence? What do you think?
Here's something I wrote back in 2002 about the benefits of awareness. I hope you like the story included and perhaps find it as good a reminder as I do. I need constant reminding to engage my mind; I guess I could say I need to remember to constantly re-mind. Okay, before I go off on a re-member and re-mind riff (it would be such Friday fun), let's get on with the story.
GOOD-BYE TO STONE COLD HABITS
Hot Rocks and Sizzling Stones
J. Martin Kohe retells a story in his book Your Greatest Power.
When the library of Alexandria burned down, all the books but one were destroyed. The single remaining book did not look like it had much value. A poor man was able to buy it for a very small amount of money. In the book, he found written the secret of the Touchstone.
This small Touchstone pebble was able to change any common metal into pure gold. The book explained that the pebble was on the shores of the Black Sea along with many thousands of identical pebbles. The Touchstone was different from all the other pebbles in only one way.
The Touchstone was warm while all the others were cold.
The man sold his meager possessions, bought some provisions, and headed for the Black Sea. When he got there, he began to feel each of the pebbles. So he would not have to feel the same pebble twice, he tossed each cold one into the sea.
Rocky Routine
For three years, he did this. Pick up a pebble, feel that it is cold, and throw it out into the sea. Over and over and over.