Of course we assume that any degree expands our possibilities. Someone with an M.D. behind their name certainly has far more options than someone without a graduate degree or even a B.A. A person with any college degree has more opportunity than a person who has never invested the time, energy and money to get that valuable piece of paper. Or do they?
Some of the most difficult clients I encounter have multiple advanced degrees. But what happens in times of change is that they see their options as very limited. The dentist sees his only option as continuing the practice of dentistry even if he hates every single day and has failed miserably in prospering financially. The attorney assumes her only choice is to continue in law even though she knows she went to law school for all the wrong reasons.
There is a principle called “beginner’s mind” which implies – if your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything. To extend this a little – In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few. ” ― Shunryu Suzuki
In time of change those with a “beginner’s mind” see opportunities to realign their skills into new opportunities. The former web designer is now a social media consultant; the dentist starts a buying co-op for his profession, the medical doctor pursues his invention for breathable baby mattresses, and the college drop-out starts an adventure travel business.
“Experts” are often immobilized. They don’t see new possibilities. They are trapped into narrow thinking with their fancy degrees and miss the opportunities emerging all around them. In today’s environment we are finding the critical skill is not what you know but how fast can you learn.
Make sure you keep a “beginner’s mind.” Watch a 4-yr-old for a day or two. See how she approaches a box of blocks or a walk down the lane. See the multiples uses she has for a spoon; it’s not just a tool for getting soup to your mouth – it can be a rocket ship, a lever, part of a train or a utensil for snuffing a candle.
Don’t let your “education” blind you to uncomplicated possibilities.
Well, this article certainly spoke to this BS Engineering/MBA turned writer/coach/trainer! I am still opening my mind to new opportunities after a successful start to a new career. I love the idea of thinking of your career like a 4 year old would. When I was 4, I loved reading and telling stories – is storytelling in my future as well?
Micki – ha. I hope it’s a reminder for all of us. And yes, storytelling is a likely part of what you’re doing as a writer/coach/trainer.
Thus far I’ve had the opposite experience. I’ve relocated to an area that does not offer a lot of opportunities that relate to my biotech/pharmaceutical background so my wife could be closer to her parents as she’s gone through some health issues. I seem to be classified as either “overqualified for entry/mid level opportunities, but lacking the degree for positions higher up the ladder. Very discouraging.
Paul – just be the person anyone would want on their team and the “degree” significance begins to diminish.
“In today’s environment we are finding the critical skill is not what you know but how fast can you learn.” This is encouraging to me, as I love to learn. I also think that once someone has achieved success in a profession – either financially or by reaching a high level of status, then starting from beginner’s mind is increasingly scary.
I happened to help a friend today by babysitting her 4 year old daughter, who asked “why” to all kinds of ordinary things we adults take for granted.
Diana – ah, being around a child does remind us what having an openness to learning is all about.
Amen. When I got a PhD I thought I had the ticket. But I soon realized that not only did it limit MY thinking, it also limited employers thinking. The term “overqualified” suddenly became real – which only meant “You want too much money”
Like you, most people I work with who have advanced or multiple degrees (or those who believe their degree is key) get very limited in their thinking. They fail to realize that people do not hire degrees.
Dale – I always love your frank input on this issue. Having “knowledge” just doesn’t provide the leverage it once did.
I appreciate the way you open us up to possibilities. Your illustration of a spoon reminded me of how when young, my son would see a stick as a gun and my daughter would pretend it was a doll. They each saw how the stick could serve their interests.
I enjoy learning, but I’ve experienced another drawback in some of my formal training. It didn’t matter the area or the institution, they tended to enforce one way to look at complicated subjects. It seems it was more important to teach a cherished perspective instead of how to think. I’ve been surprised at how narrow institutions of education seem to be in their thinking and how unwelcoming they are to having their views sincerely questioned.
Debbie,
You are so right. Our traditional “education” has been to teach us information, not to make us think. Thanks for your comments.
There is value in having a “rookie” approach to life. While walking several days ago, I listened to the latest EntreLeadership podcast with guest Liz Wiseman. Here it is — bit.ly/1s1yOSx. I was challenged with her concept of getting “rookie smarts.” Veterans can get entrenched in their thinking and level of play, whatever the pursuit may be. In the NFL (Not for Long), getting stuck usually ends up in getting cut. A rookie may not have the experience—they are not a part of the establishment—but they can bring passion, desire, and a willingness to be coached and learn new things. It can be an advantage. They can get on the field quickly. I love the “beginner’s mind” principle … high belief, open to new things, curious, hungry. Let’s stay young. All the best in 2015!
Brian – yes, I’ve heard several interview with Liz about her new book Rookie Smarts and I’m sure that was part of what promoted me to write this blog. You comments remind me of the Steve Jobs “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish” speech.
My banker told me this. After high school, the “A” students go to college and become engineers and scientists. The “B” students go to college and become bankers and accountants. The “C” students don’t go to college. They start a business and hire the A’s and the B’s.
So, I guess I have a PHD – Public HighSchool Diploma.
Steve – ah, that is so true. And so annoying to the A and B folks.
In the country, it is very useful to have a PHD – PostHole Digger…
Wow! This is so true. I have felt that my options are very limited for many years. I’m working on my “Beginners Mind” thanks to 48 Days. Thanks for the great post Dan!
So how does one after being programmed for so long to focus on the goal of the initially coveted degree/career track break out of the trap of viewing every opportunity through the lenses of their profession to develop a beginners mind again? Also I see it happening in my son in the way that the students are all programmed by the same set of core “one size fits all” standards. I have seen a very animated, visually oriented, creative, and artistic child gradually start devolving into a moody, frustrated, and unmotivated child who no longer loves school and is struggling to keep up. And yet he is so intelligent. My husband thinks that the extra rigor is good, that we should just push him through it and that I am just trying to shield him from the real world of working hard to get into college one day so that he can earn a degree and score a good job. I used to believe this too but knowing what I know now, I realize it is all about discovering, developing, and leveraging all that we have been created and placed on earth to do. 48 Days is one of the communities that taught me this. Sometimes it takes a degree and sometimes it does not to fulfill one’s purpose. How can I develop an open beginners mindset again and what can I do to help my son keep his? He has so much homework now that there is no room for creativity or for him to even be a child anymore and he no longer enjoys playing the piano which he has played since age 3 and used to give him such joy. And by the way, thank you so much for sharing this. You are truly a blessing.
Rochelle,
Oh my – it breaks my heart to hear you describe your son’s situation. I tend to trust the child – not the system. Children are so unique and they have so many talents. I’m reminded of familiar verse in Proverbs that many parents love: “Train up a child in the way he should go……………” And they use that to force their children to do what they think is best. The original meaning is more along the lines of “Train up a child in the way that he/she is bent…………..” Our challenge as parents is to watch how our children are “bent” and then help them be excellent in that. Unfortunately a “a very animated, visually oriented, creative, and artistic child” is going to be pushed to conform, to reduce creative thinking, and sit still and color inside the lines – in most academic systems.
Is there an age cut off to allowing yourself to have a “Beginner’s Mind?” My husband is 48 & just found out his company is moving to Houston. We are in TN and have no intention of moving. We are still digging out financially from a lay off he had at Asurion in 2008!! Ugh! He has always wanted to get into consulting or corporate training. He loves to teach in that environment, but hasn’t had much experience (although he has taught in other arenas). He could easily stay in manufacturing, being a supervisor or Ops Manager, but how would he start in something new? Would any consulting firm even consider him at an entry level at 48 and would the pay be low? Very scary to start over – again – but we want to do things different and just don’t know where to start.
LouAnn,
If your husband loves to teach and consult he doesn’t need a “consulting firm” to give him permission. He can draw from established training modules and simply facilitate them, or create his own training material. I used a program called Adventures in Attitudes for my first open seminar – years ago. (from a company like this – https://internalchange.com/) I used their workshop, promoted it through our local Chamber and made over $8000 in my very first workshop. I was 37 and had no experience or background in training. In later years I did a “Leadership Development” 3 hour workshop for companies like Deutsche Bank, General Electric, and more at $3500 each. Simple workshop that found ready acceptance.
Wow! That is encouraging! I will let him know. His company is leaving TN, which means another lay off… 2nd one in 10 years here; 4th lay off in his career. That will suck the air out of your balloon! He doesn’t want to settle for another manufacturing supervisor job. Enough is enough.
I was in that same situation Dan. It was difficult to break free because I believed I had so much “invested” in my current career. But, I’m finding ways to use my skills related to my first degree and use them to do something I’m passionate about.
One thing that helped me was to stop discussing my new business ideas with others in my same profession – they told me I was crazy to consider leaving my career. But, when I started hanging around with entrepreneurs and business leaders outside my industry, I found great ideas and a wonderful support network!
Steve,
Your point is SO important. People who are doing ordinary things will not cheer you on to do extraordinary things. One of the hallmark characteristics of highly successful people is that they hang around those who are already performing at levels at which they want to perform. They’ll pull you up and cheer you on rather than pull you back down – https://www.48days.com/you-gotta-get-outta-the-pot/
Opportunity doesn’t ask for a resume when it knocks.
I love that statement.
Dan, I could probably write a book on this topic, but I don’t want to do that here… so I’ll try and keep it brief. And I really don’t mean to sound negative about this subject, but sometimes personal experience can define a person. I graduated with a BS degree (and I don’t mean Bible Study if you catch my drift) in 1999 and now, almost 16 years later, I’m no better off than I would be if I had only graduated from high school. I can honestly say that, for me, college was a complete waste of my time, effort, and money. The black lacquer frame that my college diploma is hanging in right now is worth more than the education I received or “earned.” I majored in a subject that was rather narrow and specialized… one that I thought for sure would get me a job right out of college (and that’s completely my fault… no one chose my major for me… that’s on me). Guess what… it didn’t. And now, to this day, the name/title of my major serves as some sort of red flag to potential employers and it’s almost as if they think, “Well, if he has a degree in Environmental Management… what the heck is he applying with us for?!”
I think we all know what kind of job market we’re in right now. It’s getting better, but the market is still being controlled by companies that are hiring (because there are still more job seekers than jobs). They still have the upper hand unless you’re fortunate enough to be in business for yourself. Right now, employers don’t care about what level of education you have. They want experience. And not just ANY experience… they want experience in THEIR field or industry. I really don’t believe that there is a such a thing as “transferable skills” anymore… not in this job market. If I were going to give myself some advice to the me from 20 years ago, I would tell myself, “If you ARE going to go to college and earn a degree, get one that will be in demand in MANY different industries and one that will be in demand for MANY years to come. DON’T get a degree in something that happens to be popular at the time because it may not be popular 20 years down the road. And lastly, if you ARE going to go to college and earn a degree, do some internships so that you can bring SOME sort of work experience with you to the table after you graduate.”
Bottom line… here’s a message to all the high school seniors who want to go to college, and the college freshman/sophomores that are still undecided on their majors: If you want to go to college so that you can set a goal and accomplish it, that’s great… if you want to go to college and gain some knowledge about a particular field of study, that’s great… but don’t expect your college degree (ALONE) to be the thing that will launch you into a long-term successful career… it’s going to take a lot more than just an education. I know because I had to learn this lesson the hard way.
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Oops… I thought the pic I attached was just going to be a thumbnail… sorry for the big mugshot! Feel free to delete the image if you want.
Same thing happened to me: though it would be a simple thumbmnail like everyone else who has posted, then this larger-than-life photo pops up, lol.
Chad – great overview, and great advice for the high school seniors. True education teaches you to learn and think – and those are what open doors of opportunity. Not a static body of knowledge about any particular subject.
Well, don’t confuse degree with education. what most people call education is not education it is nothing more than high specialized training.
The “beginner’s mind” that you advocate is true education. True education prepares you for anything. It teaches you how to think, adapt, learn, unlearn and relearn. It changes your life. None of these things happen with the conferring of a degree.
My favorite Wright Brothers quotation:
Having set out with absolute faith in the existing scientific data, we were driven to doubt one thing after another, till finally, after two years of experiment, we cast it all aside, and decided to rely entirely upon our own investigations…Nevertheless, the time expanded in preliminary study of books was not misspent, for they gave us a good general understanding of the subject.”
How is it that these guys who could barely put a high school diploma between the two solve the difficult problems of flight when scientists and physicists of the age couldn’t? The Wrights were well educated. They learned. They adapted. They unlearned.
Damon,
Awesome overview! If you continue learning “how to think, adapt, learn, unlearn and relearn” opportunities will track you down. And you don’t have to be sitting in a classroom to do that.
I’m reading Made to Stick by the Heath brothers. One chapter they referred to the curse of knowledge. They shared the experiment of tappers and listeners. The tappers knew a song and tapped it for the listener to guess. Easy songs like Happy Birthday. They guessed (the tapper) that the listener would guess correctly half the time. The listeners only guessed correctly 2% of the time. To them it sounded like morse code. The tappers couldn’t understand why they couldn’t guess because they were singing the song while tapping. Thus the curse of knowledge.
The curse of knowledge, or ineffective communication? The presumption that someone else can know what’s going on in my head by supplying limited information leads to ineffective communication. It’s like trying to figure out the American flag by leaving out the red and blue.
I would argue it is not the knowledge, but the lack of the communication of vital information.
Damon,
Made to Stick has some very valuable lessons about thriving in today’s workplace. And yes, I agree about the curse of knowledge. I see these contestants on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire or Jeopardy and I think, why would someone cloud their brain with information that can be accessed instantly on any iphone? Is that really a valuable characteristic?
Hi Dan, I have felt stuck for the past 16 years doing my career. I’ve tried to leave the field but everyone tells me I need to become licensed to have more opportunities. I don’t want those opportunities. It’s doing the same thing over and over again with the exception that I would be a clinical supervisor. In the same field. As of December 16 I was fired due to constantly being late, part due to my two hour drive, and at times depending on traffic, and whether or not the road was closed, and the weather, three hours. The supervisor had enough of my tardiness, so I was let go. I don’t feel lost like before, nor do I feel depressed. I feel hopeful because now I understand how my degree and higher education had kept me stuck. I have made over 175 in three days time selling bread. Not a lot of money, but consider h I’ve sold it to a few people, and me not knowing a lot, I’d say it’s a fortune. I see many opportunities now. My career is just a paycheck until I can start a small business (bakery).
That has been my message to a lot o ilks tht are stuck. To look beyond what they do, and think outside the box. And have helped a few adults with adhd, like myself.
Sam – I can feel the lift in your spirit just reading through this. Welcome the opportunity for change you have been given.