Embracing the detours

I'm reading Second Innocence: Rediscovering Joy & Wonder, by John Izzo (he's the co-author of one of my favorite business books, Awakening Corporate Soul).

Right now, I'm on the chapter in which he talks about our propensity for planning and expectations, and the fact that life often meets our expectations with detours. He has some things to say that are worth sharing:

It is not that we should go through life without plans or clear desires. But life is an organic creation, the serendipitous intersection of thousands of events that put us in a certain place at a certain time. Being closed to the many detours presented to us and allowing our life plans to shield us from other possibilities means we will ultimately enjoy a less than satisfying journey...Unfortunately, as we grow older, we become obsessed with planning our lives and experience deep disappointment when life does not follow our orderly expectations (which it inevitably does not).

He goes on to say:

At a deeper level this is also about recognizing that we should focus on the overall direction of our life more than reaching a specific destination. This distinction is profoundly important. When we focus on creating certain "values" in our lives as opposed to certain "results," we are much happier. Finding a mate we love, rather than one with the specific eight characteristics we envision; creating deep friendships but being open to who those people might be; taking on more responsibility in our careers, but not obsessing about a particular position we aspire to - all these are simply an opening of ourselves to the possibilities presented in everyday life. Life is not packaged and neat. It has detours for us and when we are open to them, they often become the main road.

Izzo goes on to share his own story of leaving a job as the result of a hostile takeover and feeling like his plans had been shattered. In the end, he says, that experience...

...led me to write my first book, helped me start a career I love, and is the reason I met the woman with whom I have a wonderful life.

What about you? Are you white-knuckling your path, or are you letting life organically unfold?

Curt Rosengren
Passion Catalyst ^SM

Comments

[Robert Paterson]

Found you via John More - What you say reflects my own experience. When I was younger and thought I knew more, I had very specific plans. Having plans often closed me down to other opportunities and often opened up disappointments.

I have since relaxed into intent and life is altogether more fun and exciting

Nice blog I look forward to learning more from you
Rob