The Problem with Experience, Intellect and Self-Assurance

September 3rd, 2010 by Nick Jacobs Leave a reply »

I received this quote from a friend today:

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little.
His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.

But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side,

if he does not so much as know what they are,
he has no ground for preferring either opinion.”

–John Stuart Mill, British philosopher from his classic On Liberty, 1859

Man Looking in Mirror - Recursive - Nick Jacobs, FACHEMy new friend, Dan, has been helping me by holding up a rather small mirror, and suggesting that I explore me in that looking glass.  For the past two years, my patterns have not changed appreciably.  My work day starts very early and typically ends very late.  During those working hours, it has been my custom to continue to pursue those imaginative, creative inventions, ideas, and interventions that can help to change lives, businesses, and futures in a very positive way.  My enthusiasm for these discoveries, however, seems to get me into trouble, because I’m always trying to provide answers before anyone asks me questions.

Everywhere we go people are selling us something.  We are being inundated with opportunities to try something new, something different, something wonderful that will change our lives. We not only become callous to these approaches, we become cynical and sometimes very negative toward them.  Hence, when I try to explain that there really is plenty of money available to us to add those services and to create the type of environment that we know the Baby Boomers and their kids would love, the push back begins.

In fact, Dan held up his hand and said, “Put your hand against mine.”  Within seconds we were pushing on each other’s hands.  It’s a natural thing.  We see the hand and begin to push back on it.  Our experiences, our intellectual capacity, and our self-assurance all work against us as we assume that “we have the answers,” and that no matter what is on the table, you have experience and knowledge that allows you to counter its winning characteristics.

Dan suggested that I begin to approach things differently. He suggested that I stop telling people all of the details of my incredible discoveries and allow them to tell me where their pain resides. Allow them to tell me what hurts. Then, suggest some of the marvelous potential cures that have been so much a part of my research over the past few years.  Maybe we should all listen to Dan?

As CEO’s (and former CEO’s), we all know a lot. We’ve experienced a lot, and if we weren’t fairly self-assured, we wouldn’t have gotten the job in the first place. So, maybe, just maybe, instead of always trying to fix everything before we really understand the details, maybe it would be good –really good to just listen for awhile.

Early aircraft listening device, Bolling AFB 1921

Early aircraft listening device, Bolling AFB, 1921

Share
Advertisement

94 comments

  1. Mary Ann Jacobs says:

    Nice.

  2. IlluStory Make Your Own Story Kit says:

    My husband and i ended up being really joyous when Chris managed to conclude his investigation from your ideas he acquired using your web pages. It is now and again perplexing to just continually be freely giving techniques which usually most people may have been making money from. We keep in mind we’ve got the website owner to thank for this. All of the explanations you’ve made, the simple blog navigation, the friendships your site give support to promote – it is most superb, and it is aiding our son and the family feel that the concept is enjoyable, and that’s wonderfully pressing. Thank you for the whole lot!

  3. Nick Jacobs says:

    Thanks so much for your kind words. I’ve always been a teacher, first! Nick

  4. MovieReview says:

    Fantastic website. A lot of helpful info here. I’m sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to your effort!

  5. I am starting a Virtual assistant business and would like to start building a website that can expand with me. I am on a very limited income so I need to start it for next to no money upfront. Please help..

  6. Hi! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when browsing from my iphone4. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share. Many thanks!

  7. Yolande says:

    Anthony Morrison is a person committed to helping make a change in the world for good. His efforts don’t stop at help people obtain a better life with what he can teach them, but he also created a charity. By invitation only, I was invited to a special webinar of his. If you want to make more money and have a better life in general, I have a few invite codes left. Just follow this link and you will automatically pick up one of the remaining invite codes… http://tinyurl.com/77mazff

  8. baju bayi says:

    I’ve been browsing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours The Problem with Experience, Intellect and Self-Assurance | Healing Hospitals – Nick Jacobs, FACHE. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  9. Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is magnificent, as well as the content!. Thanks For Your article about The Problem with Experience, Intellect and Self-Assurance | Healing Hospitals – Nick Jacobs, FACHE .

  10. Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is excellent, as well as the content!. Thanks For Your article about The Problem with Experience, Intellect and Self-Assurance » Healing Hospitals – Nick Jacobs, FACHE .

  11. Loise Keetch says:

    As I site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling great , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck.

  12. faviana fans says:

    “This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I truly enjoy reading your articles”

  13. ykammcmph, Order tramadol overnight, CrKFwVi.

  14. Bandana Bayi says:

    This is the reverse The Problem with Experience, Intellect and Self-Assurance » Healing Hospitals – Nick Jacobs, FACHE blog for anyone who wants to assay out out around this matter. You respond so much its almost effortful to fence with you (not that I truly would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a theme thats been scripted most for eld. Nice foul, but great!

  15. android says:

    Typically I really don’t understand submit about blogs and forums, on the other hand prefer to point out that this kind of write-up quite compelled myself to take a look with as well as take action! A person’s writing taste have been stunned everyone. Many thanks, very nice write-up.

  16. Gathering the household together in the kitchen in their matching family pajamas can be an awesome approach to get everyone baking cookies and in the fitting mood for Santa’s arrival. A further enjoyable exercise to perform inside your household pajamas for all to acquire pleasure from would be to arrange the vegetables and set the table on Christmas Eve together, basically try to remember to seize these moments on film.

  17. Choosing the best pj’s within the interest of toddlers calls for not simply figuring out their measurements or presentable fabrics, but also the individual style of one’s toddler. Though he or she might only be a number of years old, the toddler stage is recognized in consideration of introducing the very first glimpses of their personality moreover to decision-making skills. In fact, enabling your toddler to select his or her preference for pj’s can really assistance them feel much more comfy whilst sleeping, top to a sound schedule of sleep. To test as well as see which type of pj’s suit your toddler most effective, invest in a couple dissimilar varieties together with have them don a distinctive 1 each and every couple of days to find out which they sleep essentially the most comfortably in. After you have concluded this experiment, take your toddler getting with you and bear them in fact go for a pajama set on their own. Some babies could be drawn to patterns, adore these with animals or stars. Others may perhaps choose color as an alternative, for example pink in the interest of girls and blue or red in the interest of boys. Some little ones may not care at all what their pajamas look like, but giving them freedom to opt for can present a considerable first-step in assisting them develop in addition to practice manage of their options.

  18. Fantastic issues permanently, you simply obtained a new viewer. What would anyone advise in terms of this post you made at times before? Just about any convinced?

  19. I want to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have got you book-marked to check out new stuff you post…

  20. Saul Gress says:

    Having read this I thought it was rather informative. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

  21. jexiste.org says:

    I think the admin of this site is really working hard in favor of his web site, for the reason that
    here every information is quality based information.

  22. Josh Spark says:

    My compliments, valuable article and an excellent site. Also your post has inspired me to start writing on items similar to what you are doing. Right here I am getting a lot more and much more productive in combining interim management and business networking directories. Now I need to expand and need some partners. Interim management jobs are large business because the recession hit several companies all over the globe. For an organisation – specifically one that’s had to secure its service provision or organization path – hiring an interim manager proves a price-efficient way of reaching professional, in-house guidance with out getting to produce a permanent vacancy. All are searching for best level executive with interim management expertise. Business networking and directories can be regarded as as effective approach of internet advertising and lead generation. Through business networking and directories, you get the chance to find the business in which you are interested and is actual an lead generator good to generate profitable revenues. What if you combine each strengths of interim management and business networking directories? Are you capable to handle and create this? Then you are our enterprise companion at connectdirector.com. We are searching for a Regional General Manager (interim management & online business services)

  23. I have recently started a web site, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.

  24. katalog says:

    You’re so interesting! I don’t think I’ve truly read through something like this before.
    So nice to find someone with a few genuine thoughts on this subject.
    Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that’s needed
    on the internet, someone with a little originality!

  25. Essential findings during the poll, which was commissioned by MetLife Basis, are created apparent within a report available at world wide web.metlife.org. They involve:

  26. Dior Outlet says:

    Hi! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us so I
    came to check it out. I’m definitely enjoying
    the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to
    my followers! Superb blog and outstanding design and style.

  27. Informative article, exactly what I wanted to find.

    Here iss my webpage; two-income families earn

  28. Everyone loves what you guys are up too. Such clever work and exposure! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to blogroll.

  29. Hello there! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established
    blog. Is it very hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very
    techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do
    you have any points or suggestions? With thanks

  30. I was suggested this website by my relative.
    I’m not sure whether this post is written by him or anyone else but
    this such detailed post and i like reading.

  31. Helko there, ust became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative.
    I’m going to watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue
    ths in future. Lots off people will be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

  32. It’s amazing to visit this web site and reading the views of
    all colleagues regarding this post, while I am also zealous of getting knowledge.

  33. Ella says:

    Thank you for some other informative site. The place else may I am getting that
    type of info written in such a perfect method? I’ve a undertaking that I’m just now running on, and
    I have been at thee glance out for such information.

    ?Tsekkaa: http://www.99polls.com/profile_2248340

  34. Henni says:

    I rarely create responses, however i did some searching and wound up here The Problem with Experience, Intellect and Self-Assurance ? Healing Hospitals – Nick Jacobs, FACHE.
    And I actually do have a couple of questions for you
    if it’s allright. Is it just me or does it look like some of the responses appear like coming from brain dead
    people? 😛 And, if you are posting at additional places, I would like to follow everything fresh you
    have to post. Could you list of the complete urls of your social sites like your twitter
    feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?

    ?Katso: https://tivo.nu/shktupakka231374

  35. ????? ???? says:

    Thanks for taking the time to discuss this

  36. parschemical says:

    Looking forward to reading more. Great article.Thanks Again. Much obliged.

  37. campkrupp says:

    I will be coming back to your website for more soon.

  38. hypergymco says:

    Skup samochodów – kupimy ka?de auto na terenie ca?ego kraju! Skup aut od 2000 roku. P?acimy najwi?cej, gotówka od r?ki. Bezp?atny dojazd i wycena. TYLKO

  39. glasseskala says:

    so That visitors and
    readers can easily Understand the concept.I Efforts must appreciate you
    posting these on information.

  40. amagin, wow, really very good post it.Thank you for share.good bye.

  41. tehransang says:

    This blog post really grabbed my attention. With that said I am going to subscribe. Therefore I will get more updates on what you have to say. Please keep writing as I want to learn more.

  42. Mükemmel bir içerik çok te?ekkür ederim

  43. fereshte shokri says:

    http://goo.gl/53TTnq
    ??? ???????

  44. Yeezy Shoes says:

    I think this is among the such a lot vital info for me.
    And i’m happy reading your article. However should commentary
    on few general issues, The site taste is perfect, the articles is in reality excellent : D.
    Just right activity, cheers

  45. treadmills says:

    Nice collection of menu’s. I havent really looked into doing menu’s through jquery but I am a big fan of the sliding and image apps. Great post!

  46. Thanks a lot for your tutorial. I’m using this animation for my website and it’s just great…

  47. treadmills says:

    the button (blue whene I roll over, yellow when click..) I know it’s just by changing the function and the css sheet, I tried many times but no solution!Help please

  48. In CSS that kind of effect is only mouse over, i dont understand what is the difference of that?Can you elaborate the difference thanks

  49. Hi. just want to share the IE6 flickering bug. Just add html
    {filter: expression(document.execCommand(”BackgroundImageCache”, false, true));}

Leave a Reply