Whenever a Jesuit priest or a Calvinist pastor does anything of significance (for instance, making a key decision), he is expected to write down what results he anticipates. Nine months later, he then feeds back from the actual results to these anticipations. This very soon shows him what he did well and what his strengths are. It also shows him what he has to learn and what habits he has to change. Finally, it shows him what he is not gifted for and cannot do well.
Aaah, .. the power of documenting progress. Knowing thyself (yes, a clichè), knowing your strengths and weaknesses allows you to focus your energy on the essentials, like a magnifying glass that focuses the sun’s rays at a single point until it burns. Why waste effort? Effort costs! Even if you do not have to sleep and have unlimited energy, you are still bounded by time.
To know one’s strengths, to know how to improve them, and to know what one cannot do well — are the keys to continuous learning.
Tags: peter drucker
Pingback: The Sunjay Times » Winning and suffering