What is the best way to prepare yourself for success?
Should you psych yourself up with confident declarations — or ask yourself questions about whether you’re up to the job?
In my latest Sunday Telegraph column, I turn to a team of University of Illinois researchers — and the legendary management theorist Bob the Builder — for the answer.
Dan,
Thoroughly enjoyed this article. Many problems can (or should) not solved by brute force alone, and taking some time for discussion among the collaborators who will engage to solve a problem helps to galvanize the goal, the sense of urgency, and the commitment to a solution. Plus, I really love Bob The Builder!
The premise of this article, though, assumes we’re trying to fix something that’s broken. So, the goal is clear: restoration of scrambled letters or a broken barn door.
How would you apply the principles in this article to projects where something new is being developed?
Thanks,
Tom
Fascinating research! Really flies in the face of conventional “motivation” training…and very, very appealing. It’s empowering to step back and consider whether, in fact, I actually want to achieve something for which I’ve been revving myself but haven’t been able to complete.
I suspect when I usually ask myself if I can do something, it’s from a bit of a self-judgment framework, rather than one of curiosity. Your report on this research helps me reframe the question – the same question – in a way that is more likely to inspire honest answers and better results.
Dan – Interesting piece and I think it lends some credence to what many researchers in positive psychology might label “realistic” or “flexible” optimism where the entrepreneur is hopeful about her chances but sees that failure is a possibility which leads to better planning and execution. Thanks!
dh
Dan, great column. The results don’t surprise me though. When left to question, “Will I…” or “How can I…” it removes the expectation that the problem will be solved and allows for the brain to creatively find solutions.
Nice post. Appreciate your work.
Another question that opens doors to ideas begins with “What if….?” Stephen King credits that question as the source of many a novel. Declarations of can-do spirit are probably more useful for football and other intense sports where cheerleading has a more familiar role.
Good article. Wonderful when a standard idea is turned on its head.
Hey Dan –
Fantastic article! The case study was surprising, but at the same time made an enormous amount of sense. Keep up the great work!
Looking forward,
Jonathan Flaks
I really enjoyed this article and believe it wholeheartedly. There is something, almost disingenuous, about people who “puff themselves up”, trying to convince others (and themselves) that they can do almost anything. I’ve never believed them, nor for myself. Maybe that means I am a self-doubter? I work with a program that ALWAYS asks open-ended questions, which allows for more flexible thinking and multiple ideas. I think that when people are forced to question, either themselves or others it helps them maintain perspective. This article helped me to understand that people must look at their own limitations. We can’t ALL do EVERYTHING and must set out to do the tasks of which we are capable. Thank you, again, for your insightfulness.
Great article, Dan.
The part about looking in the mirror and saying “I can achieve anything” made me think of Stuart Smalley.
This is great, Dan! I was raised around a whole bunch of adults that not only asked, “Can we fix it?” but also, “Can we create something to do it better or to do something entirely new and different?”
I grew up in Eastern Washington, in an area known as the Columbia Basin. The Columbia Basin irrigation project was started in the 1930’s, when this entire area was nothing but dirt, rock, sagebrush, and sand. Now it’s one of the foremost agricultural areas in the world. I like the attitude of “Can we fix it?” because it assumes a solution and begs for innovation.
Hey Dan,
First of all, I just wanted to say I’m truly a huge fan and because of you: I’ve started a blog of writing mini-sagas to practice my “story sense.” You got me hooked on it Pink!
Anyways, I just had to add my 2 cents in regards to this statement you made in the column:
“Self-help gurus from Norman Vincent Peale to Anthony Robbins might shudder at allowing a shaft of negativity to shine through our mental doors.”
Oooooo, I have to disagree here. Peale, Robbins, and the “quality success teachers” do not simply suggest to think positive or motivate yourself through affirmations. If you dig deeper to their work, it’s about truly understanding WHY you might be having those thoughts. In my opinion, negative emotions are a signal that a change is needed.
“Quality questions create a quality life. Successful people ask better questions and as a result, they get better answers.”-Anthony Robbins
Anyways, I just wanted to mention that and it’s always a pleasure to read what you write.
@Christopher — Fair point. Thanks for the clarification.
BTW I believe that we shouldn’t wait until we are adults to start asking those questions. Education should be about the questions and less about getting the “right answer”. If we want to continue to be creative, out-of-the-box thinkers we need to focus on future generations and consider changing the paradigm of learning, now!
I have mixed views on this as when solving problems, I tend to take the Bob the Builder approach. Yet my experience in sports coaching says positive thinking is often by far the most effective way of tackling anything where something scary is involved. As lack of commitment and self doubt are exactly why some people fail to tackle some tasks. I have seen many less skilled people complete a task simply because they thought they could do it, whereas people with more skill/talent failed as they doubted their abilities.
Often it is simply believing you can do something allows you to do it and questioning it prevents you from carrying out task. This is assuming an adequate level of skill.
Though overconfidence in one’s abilities can also lead to hospital visits if not careful. But not as often as doubting yourself when doing something like downhill mountain biking, where more speed can in many instances, be much safer than slowing down. Which is exactly what the less confident tend to do, causing one to lose valuable momentum which often carries you through the ‘danger zone’, leading to a crash and even more doubt in their abilities.
Dan, you gotta get outta my head man! Just kidding, but whatever I’m working on you seem to write something that helps, applies, or stretches me to ask more & better questions. Polishing a product to help entrepreneurs as we speak ( or write) that’s along these lines. Thanks for this. -Michael
Dan,
I feel that the value of the interrogative is very important and a fundamental aspect of self accountability. I also feel that Bob the Builder’s humble but confident approach invites realism. Do you feel that Barbara Ehrenreich’s work connects with the research you noted? http://Www.lornerubis.com
see blog ” smile or die ”
Best,
Lorne
Great article Dan.
I think it’s true that a certain amount of self assesment doesn’t necessarily undermine your self-belief. I’d rather be aware of poor professional or interpersonal habits and be able to change than be perperually trying to gloss them over by assuring myself that “I can be anything I want to be” etc. Self assesment is natural, it is pragmatic.
The use of Bob the Builder as a leadership is similar to a post that I wrote for my company’s blog not so long back in which I pick a handful of alternative leadership icons for the modern age and look at what defines them as leaders. It can be read, here:
http://dontcompromise.askeurope.com/2010/11/15/buzz-brucey-and-the-dude/
All the best,
The Graduate