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Phil's avatar

Seedlings display remarkable intelligence from conception as they blossom and survive in their environment. Virtuosos understand the vital role of practicing scales to preserve and enhance their technique and artistry. As the saying goes, when you are green, you grow; when you are ripe, you rot.

Thank you for yet another perceptive Field Note. I look forward to reading more of your insightful observations in the future.

Have a great weekend!

Best wishes to all.

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Admired Leadership's avatar

What are the "practicing scales" routine that we should be doing each day?

Thanks for posing this question for us, Phil.

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Phil's avatar

The breath and pulse are essential for the survival of terrestrial beings. It would benefit humans enormously to take a few minutes daily to sit and focus on their breathing and pulse. Training the mind to tune to the breath or pulse is the "minimum viable amount of self-awareness" humans can use to develop awareness. We can consider this as a form of "practicing scales," which, in time, can help turn one into a ten.

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Dr Nia D Thomas's avatar

Some very helpful ideas aligned to developing self-awareness. A beginners mind and curiosity open up a whole world of learning and opportunity!

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Admired Leadership's avatar

What do you think, Dr. Nia? Is there a minimum viable amount of self-awareness necessary in order for someone to develop their self-awareness?

An 8 can become a 9... but is a 2 somewhat stuck being a 2??

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Dr Nia D Thomas's avatar

Hmmmm…… interesting. I’ve asked podcast guests who are coaches this question: do people have to come to coaching with self-awareness to develop it. The consensus seems to be no.

Often people go to coaching with no self-awareness and sometimes they are ‘sent’ to coaching for that very reason. Often they have to start somewhere else on that journey to get back to the foundational conversation about self-awareness. However, I think there has to be motivation to learn - either learn about the self, learn about others or learn how to do ‘the thing’ better, to be able to develop self-awareness.

So, no, I don’t think people who are at a 2 can’t get to a 6, but I do think that people who don’t want to move from a 2 will indeed not move from a 2.

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Joe Loughery's avatar

Thank you for this gentle reminder.

I am off to re-read ZEN MIND, BEGINNER'S MIND, by Shunryu Suzuki.

Have a good rest of your weekend.

Thank you for your time.

-Joe

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Admired Leadership's avatar

Give us your review when finished please.

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Kristi Spence's avatar

I love this reminder. Recently, I have found inspiration through my kids, the questions they ask, the things they ponder, and I’ve been writing about it. My post today felt connected to this idea. https://kristispence.substack.com/p/philosophers-on-the-butte?r=17odmr

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Bradley Roteman's avatar

A. B. L. Always Be Learning. To continually be learning make a habit of writing down something new everyday. Read, follow a YouTube channel, evaluate your daily experiences. Never close your mind to new perspectives and data. Take nothing g on first impression. Be inquisitive. Discuss the what you have learned with people you trust. ALWAYS BE LEARNING!!!

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Dr Nia D Thomas's avatar

Love this. Could I add ABC? Always be curious?

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Fidelis Gomes's avatar

May I add this - when some of us cannot think , too much self pride and salander others; how and what way they are capable of running the best nation in the world!? May all of us learn what humility is- be honest with thyself first. Not sure if I have made any sense at all?

Kindest regards.

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Fidelis Gomes's avatar

Thank you!

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Drew Lang's avatar

Thank you Randall.

This field note stands out as one to read and reread . . . . .

-Drew

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Bradley Roteman's avatar

Forgive my typos

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Emily Brodeur's avatar

This is excellent.

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