My friend James has sculpted a big glorious life out of clay mixed of abundance and brilliance. He buys, grows, sells, creates and sculpts companies. He grows people too. He teaches them how to be better versions of themselves, with his wisdom. I learn a lot about a lot every time I have sit down time with him. How can one brain hold all this information? I need the See Spot Run introduction to gathering a wee bit of understanding of this fascinating yet intimidating language of: finance, business finesse, and building a remarkable crew. I really wish to be more confident with all that. Yet, where does one begin on this journey to finesses and success?
Read the Dr Seuss Book, The Sneetches, encourages James encourages me. Everything you need to know is in this book. One of his colleagues, Eric, on the spot, prints a copy for me from his files. He shares that the twosome spent nearly an hour discussing the value of Seuss's words in regards to the psychology of market driven economics. Evidently, everyone on team James has read this book. I like that a children's book with simple lyrical soothing word patterns can teach all of us a thing or two about business. And teamwork. And value. And the market.
The Sneetches delicately yet clearly maps out the need, the drive for all of us, on occasion, to be in the cool group. The propensity toward discrimination of those that are 'different' from us, especially when we want to be included in the in circle, is an blantant theme. Our need to belong to a pack. Our need for gold stars to feel like we matter. And scarcity. There just are not enough musical chairs left so we must cling to the perception that there is not enough for us all and we must take, take, take when we have the opportunity. James and Dr.S remind me that there is plenty for us all and that the scarcity syndrome dilutes value and team building in the long run.
Scarcity drives demand ala Seuss and James. The grass seems greener and I must get to the other side. This feeling of lack within ourselves creates a vacuous need to be on top. So we climb, blindly, even if in our hearts we really don't really want to go there. Fear can make us reactive and grab for what we think we should want.
The market peaks. There is over saturation as to what is cool and of value. And then it dumps. There are folks like the McMonkey McBean-the Fix-It-Up Chappie character in this classic, that capitalize on our fear and encourage the scarcity for their own gain. Selling products and ideas that we feel will make us cool, wanted, loved, admired. Not left out means fighting to stay in. It is all in our heads. This narrow perspective shrinks even more.
A bit reminiscent of the Emperors New Clothes story. The dude leader is naked and everyone pretends to see his spectacular outfit. They spectators are anxious they will not stay in favor with the cool Royal tribe so they fake seeing the invisible fashion statement. Silliness ensues when we play pretend for status. We compromise what we know to be true just to stay In. When we get it that the star on our chest that deems us worthy and cool, is just a symbol emblem sew onto us not into us, the metaphorical star is left fallen. It does not matter if we have a star sewn on or special shoes or a specific car or haircut. We know that, but we get caught up in being included. We fear standing alone. Abandonment fears drive us to forget who we really are. We are most cool when we are being the best Us there is. Our uniqueness, our courage to be that person is what delivers the goods to us. And keeps us grounded.
James says, followers lose. Scarcity drives prices (I add, insanity too). There is a deeper message in this piece of literature. It isn't just being about being nice to others and being inclusive. It is not just about who wears the star of belonging. It is about the psychology behind market driven economics. When we follow, the guzzle the Cool Aid moment, we lose. Lose the I factor in the story. We all rush out to be the same and the thing that makes us In is diluted because we are each diluted in the joining to be the same. The demand goes up and eventually bottoms out when nearly Anyone can get in to the In club. And a new trend of cool and In begins.
It takes courage to tap into who we are as individuals with the pressures to belong to a particular group of folks. We risk being shunned for not sticking to the regiments to belong. It smarts to not be invited in.
From a life coaching perspective, I say we decide to radically be who we actually are. Rather than listen to the scam message that we must be a certain way to be loved, to be a part of a pack, we step out and help ourselves and others be the we that we are. Invest more time in discovering what makes you You. Assess your uniqueness and share it even if you are the only one in the In club of you. Let us each be ok being Youer than You (more Seuss wisdom).
I am off to Powell's children's section to sit on the floor and immerse myself in more Dr S wisdom.