Wonder

Here’s something you might not know about me: I used to teach preschool. I love that age. Kids are learning their way in the world and are still so full of wonder. 

 

Somewhere along the way, authority figures (parents, clergy, teachers, other family) begin to impose rules that shut that wonder down. 

“Don’t be so nosy.”

“Stop asking so many questions.”
“Don’t be a pest.” 

 

And the wonder is stifled in trade for approval.

Almost every child learns this lesson – it’s a trade of behavioral compliance for the perceived reward of love. 

 

There are stories that are built around this. And life’s struggles come from those stories.

 

What if we kept wonder alive? One of my favorite things to tell people is, “Stay Curious.” 

 

When you live in curiosity, you cannot live in judgment.

 

“I wonder…” is so different from “That guy is such a _______.”

 

Wonder will serve you. In leadership, “What needs to happen for this team member to live into better performance?” That’s so much stronger than being blameful. 

 

When you wonder, you open up perspectives that you didn’t have before. New outcomes are possible. Actual joy becomes a beautiful byproduct. 

 

Be certain about what you want.

Then, get a little more curious about your options on the path. 

 

Do some people watching and let yourself wonder about their life’s story. Then flip the point of view and have some fun thinking about what others might think of you. (I’m at an airport typing this out. What story might someone tell themselves about me? Having typed that for you, I’m now smiling. Why? Well, I wonder!)

 

See you here next week!

Keep making your magic!

 

= Wayne =

 

P.S. I’m starting a new online group. It’s called Focused Fridays and it’ll begin in the New Year. If you’re interested, reach out to me.

 

P.P.S You missed October’s small group Exponential Success Summit. Interested in holding your seat for my signature small-group mastermind event in April? Reach out!