HOW TO DISCOVER WHAT YOU’RE BEST AT.
In a famous essay based on an ancient Greek fable, "The Hedgehog and
the Fox", Isaiah Berlin looked at the differences in the two animals'
ways of functioning. The fox is cunning, crafty, sleek and sly. He
devises complex strategies to attack his prey. The dowdy little
hedgehog, however, who waddles along like an easy target, outfoxes the
fox every time by rolling into a perfect ball with spikes protruding in
all directions. Just by being the hedgehog, he is doing what he does
best and can unfailingly thwart his attacker. Berlin divided the world
into hedgehogs and foxes, claiming that "the fox knows many things, but
the hedgehog knows one big thing."
Are you a hedgehog or a fox?
Since reading about this idea in "Good to Great" by Jim Collins
about how the Hedgehog Concept applies to great businesses, it struck
me how well it also applies to individuals interested in living their
best life. "The hedgehog concept is not a goal to be your best, a
strategy to be your best, an intention to be your best, a plan to be
your best. It's an understanding of what you can be the best at. The
distinction is absolutely critical," says Collins.
Imagine if you were able to clarify for yourself; (1) what you are
most passionate about, (2) what you are genetically encoded for -- your
natural strengths and innate abilities and (3) what you can do with
your talents and passion to make a significant contribution to others
and make your living doing it. Where these three dimensions intersect
is your Hedgehog Concept, what you can naturally be best at.
You need all three to have a Hedgehog Concept. If you make a lot of
money doing things that you can never be your best at or that you don't
care deeply about, you'll have material things, but not fulfillment. If
you are doing something at your best but aren't passionate about it,
you'll never be able to sustain interest and enthusiasm. Finally, if
you're passionate about something, but can't be your best at it or if
it doesn't make economic sense or contribute to others, then it can be
a fun-filled hobby, but you won't be making a living at it.
Those who are living their best life, to one degree or another are
hedgehogs. They use their hedgehog nature to drive toward being at
their best and contributing to others. By comparison, the foxes never
clarify the three dimensions and instead remain scattered, diffused,
and inconsistent.
Coaching Tips to begin finding your Hedgehog Concept:
Take out 3 sheets of paper.
On one write, "What am I passionate about?" Write out everything you can think of that you feel passionate about.
On the second sheet write "My natural abilities and strengths". Put
down everything that might be considered a strength of yours.
Third, note any ideas on how you could get paid for doing what you're best at and passionate about.
Then, ask several people whose opinion you value to review these
lists and give you feedback on where they see these three dimensions
intersecting. After enjoying the feedback you've received, read through
the responses and look for patterns.
Remember, the process of clarifying your Hedgehog concept may take
some time, but don't get discouraged. It's not always easy to be
objective about something so close to you. Stick with it, get support,
find a coach. It could make the difference between Living Your Best
Life or remaining scattered and inconsistent in your pursuit of
happiness and success.
Send me your comments.
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