Just yesterday, I was ‘teaching’ my dad (who is 89) Google map, Skype and stuff. I just realize that there is a mindset difference with kids today who learn to point-and-click before they even know what they are clicking..absolutely no fear. My dad still try to learn each different application in isolation, he feels the need to ask if something is right before he clicks, he wants to know what happen next before he clicks, he puts his hands on his lap instead of the mouse and he expect things to remain the same once he learn it…Eventually, I had to tell him to imagine the computer as a person – to communicate with a person, besides listening to the words, you listen to the tone of voice, see the facial expressions, watch for hand signals and other body languages as well. Shifting him from “take a course and passing the exam” mindset to “interacting with a person” probably gave him that ‘aha’ moment…I think. 😉
Throughout history, there were events that caused a whole switch in outcome or direction. Some examples are: the industrial revolution, the first computer, YouTube, Netflix, iPhone and many more. Businesses that leverage off the mega-trend changes succeed and those that stay stagnant eventually get obsoleted…they were obsessed with “how things used to be done” and not the “what type of business they are really in and delivering”. With that attitude, they did not adapt fast enough and therefore failed.
With each paradigm shift, you need to be able to see things from “outside in” (as if you do not have any vested interest in one approach or the other) to allow yourself to be creative. You cannot have any vested interest in a specific way of doing things. You need to concentrate on the final goal and put aside your habits and personal opinions (at least temporarily). This is what is meant by “emptying your cup”.
Martial Arts have gone through its own share of paradigm changes. Some people are more open and receptive to changes while others want to keep everything pure or status quo. I appreciate traditions and lineage but I refuse to be limited by it. Physics, human anatomy, psychology, fail-safe experimentation, etc are my friends. I cannot claim that I know it all but I can safely say that I have grown every year.
Exercise (email me your answers and thoughts):
– name some fundamental differences of our approach (as compared to your impression or past experiences)? Explain.
– name one event in real life (past or present) that you can relate to where there is a paradigm change. Explain the implications (successes / failures).
– reflect on yourself how you might have been resistance to changes? Are you going to change with this discussion? How can you practice that kind of openness?