Apparently ego is bad for success - and that's obviously right. If you're not already successful, you probably need to try something new to become successful. If you are too worried about failure, you probably won't take the necessary risks in order to learn and to grow. I am worried that this bias may become stronger with age. It manifests itself as an increasing adaptation to do just the things I like. I deliberately push against it, seeking out new restaurants, different shows, and keeping dissenting voices in my twitter feed.
It is also important to keep undertaking 'high-stakes' work: activities that might succeed or fail. These are things like public speaking, setting up events, making cold calls, introducing yourself to new people, and trying out new skills. Taking these on requires courage, and a degree of tolerance for failure. This is even more pronounced in the process of trying to acquire new skills. As you get older it takes more effort to stop doing something that you have an acknowledged ability for (your current work processes, for example, or a well known hobby) and choose to try to do something in a different way. But it is worth the effort - and holidays are a perfect time to experiment with new things. I plan to goof around a bit on the holidays trying out stuff, and I hope you do too.
Click here to listen to Michael Hill talk about the jewelry business, continuing to strive and dream, his golf course and the importance of letting go of your ego.
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