KB60 - The Wisdom of Watching

MINDSET
The Wisdom of Watching

Today, I want to share with you a golden nugget of knowledge that could change how you approach learning and success.

It's all about the art of observation and the incredible value of learning from others.

And what better way to illustrate this than with a story involving a fox, a wolf, and a bear?

How to Learn Slow

First, let's talk about the traditional route most of us take: learning the hard way. You know the drill…

You're so petrified of making a mistake that you end up doing...well, nothing.

It's like wanting to swim without getting wet.

Sounds safe, but you won't get anywhere, right?

How to Learn Fast

Then there's the slightly better approach: diving in headfirst, making all the mistakes, and then learning from them.

It's the trial-by-fire method. Sure, you'll learn something, but let's be honest, it will hurt.

It's like learning not to touch a hot stove by...well, touching it. Ouch.

How to Learn Faster

But here's where it gets interesting…

What if I told you there's a way to turbocharge your learning process?

It's simple: keep an eye on those who've already walked your path.

Learn from their successes, but more importantly, learn from their mistakes.

It's like getting the map to the minefield. Why wouldn't you use it?

I want to share a story I picked up from John Maxwell in his book "The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication" that perfectly encapsulates this wisdom…

The Tale of the Fox, the Wolf, and the Bear

A fox, a wolf, and a bear went hunting, and each snagged a deer. Now, the question was how to divide their bounty.

The bear, being the brute he is, asked the wolf for his opinion.

The wolf, perhaps naively, suggested that they each take one deer.

In a shocking turn of events, the bear devoured the wolf on the spot.

Then, the bear turned to the fox and asked for his take.

Having just witnessed a masterclass in "what not to do," the fox offered his deer to the bear and suggested the bear take the wolf's deer as well.

Astonished, the bear asked, "Where did you get such wisdom?"

The fox's reply? "From the wolf."

The Moral of the Story

What the fox understood, and what I want you to take away from this, is the power of observational learning.

The fox didn't have to become bear lunch to learn that suggesting each keep their deer might lead to a rather...permanent form of digestion.

Instead, he watched, learned, and lived to tell the tale.

"Like all communicators, I got my start by watching others speak and learning lessons from them," said Maxwell.

And it's true for any skill or endeavour you're pursuing.

The smartest way to learn isn't just by doing; it's by watching, understanding, and doing better.

So, as you venture forth in your quest for success, remember the wisdom of the fox.

Keep your eyes open, learn from the experiences of those around you, and maybe, just maybe, you won't have to get eaten by a bear to find your path to victory.