Small Thinking Denies Change

Posted on January 29, 2023

Hi Friend,

Turns out I got to live another rather amazing week. We just finished up our first ever two day off-site retreat for Hawks Agency. I didn’t know what to expect since we haven’t done one before. I knew it would be fabulous just getting to spend concentrated time with the amazing people on our team. It was! We made progress towards how we want to do life and business this year.

We stayed in an old 3 story house that was incredibly charming, spacious and beautiful inside. We spent the first afternoon simply discussing questions around our personal lives. Even with a small team it’s interesting how much we don’t know about one another until we intentionally go there. We also spent time on our 10 goals/dreams in 10 years.

We ventured out for dinner, bowling and shooting pool. It turns out none of us are very good at either activity. But we did have loads of fun regardless. On Friday it was a working retreat digging into some very specific elements of who we are, what we offer, who we want to work with and the kinds of efforts we’re going to make. My great friend Randy Nail showed up and inspired us about possibilities and not thinking small. It was powerful, spiritual and challenging! We loved it.

I walked away entirely grateful for the privilege of getting to do life with these people. Sarah, Monica and John are just the best of humanity. Each with their own compelling unique stories they are living lives of bravery, humility and service.

Between you and me, I also got a glimpse of the potential of Hawks Agency to become something I hadn’t ventured my thoughts to consider. For the moment, I’m going to let the seeds of an idea germinate in my heart.

Don’t Think Small!

That was the admonishment from Randy. I wish I could share everything he offered. It was rich with wisdom, encouragement and provocation. The follow up to that statement was “don’t let your clients think small.” He suggested after we’ve spoken at an event the audience may not embrace fully what we’ve compelling presented. We have a responsibility to invoke action.

Have you ever tried to change someone? When I was younger I attempted such foolishness. Heck have you ever tried to change yourself? That’s incredibly hard work that often results in temporary adjustments which tend to slip back to old routines after a brief time.

Seeking change can be a disappointing journey. Practicing daily who we’ve decided to be can result in change. Bearing the burden for someone else to ingest my words, alter their seeing and incorporate actions to become changed, seems a bit audacious. Yet that was the gauntlet dropped.

I’ve Been Changed by Words.

When you reflect on spurts of growth and expansion in your life, what do you attribute it to? Who do you attribute it to? I suspect words and actions by someone else revealed a belief or characteristic that challenged your core or ignited hope. That’s happened to me more times than I can count. From books to speakers to friends to pastors to strangers, listening and observing has been the catalyst for change in me.

Instigating Ideas…

1. What words and actions of yours might inspire someone?

2. What sources do you access to prevent small thinking?

3. In the area you want change who are you listening to that helps?

4. Let someone know their life has challenged and inspired you.

As you know, I listened to Bono’s autobiography last month. In his youth he wrote a lyric “I can’t change the world, but I can change the world in me.” A poignant revelation he gains in his later years is that he discovered he could change the world, but he couldn’t change his own inner world. I resist the concept, but also fully appreciate his sentiment.