Self Improvement

The Wise Owl’s Success Secrets

What do you know about the wisdom of an owl?

From ancient times people have used the owl as a symbol of wisdom despite the fact that the owl is not a particularly intelligent animal.

The eyes of an owl are a unique feature, however. The owl has no peripheral vision. Their eyes point forward and can change focus between objects that are up close and those that are at a distance instantaneously. This attribute makes him a formidable predator but has nothing to do with wisdom.

The wise human owl:

Observes

When we observe what is going on around us we see opportunities. We see potential and possibilities. Then, too, we can see hazards or obstacles. We can see what is working for other people.

“To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom one must observe.”

Marilyn vos Savant

Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge, experience, insight, and common sense to achieve worthwhile goals and to enrich humankind as a result. It does not exist in a vacuum.

While the goals may be individual they have a positive impact on family members, business associates, community members, or a combination thereof.

The ability to step back and objectively observe is a prerequisite for wisdom.

Wonders

Wondering is all about pondering what you have observed. It is curiosity and the willingness to see something from a different perspective.

As we sift through our observations we often find connections that had not been readily apparent with a more superficial viewing.

True wondering or pondering requires that we have observed details and nuances of situations and circumstances we might normally overlook. As we ponder on what we have seen and the ramifications thereof we open the door to developing wisdom.

As Seneca so succinctly said;

“No man was ever wise by chance.”

Chance requires no effort. Wondering and pondering require time, an open mind and heart as well as discernment. It is that investment that can lead us to wisdom

Listens

There is an old adage that says we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Too often we hear without actually listening, as we are busy formatting our response to what is being said.

When that happens we hear words and totally negate the possibility that those words might have the capacity to teach us something that could alter the course of the remainder of our lives.

Learns

When we observe others, and ponder on the results of their choices we have the opportunity to learn from them.

If the road they chose turned out to be unsuccessful and led to heartbreak and failure, we have the opportunity to learn from their experience and choose differently.

If they were successful in something we aspire to, then we can learn from them and expedite our progress.

“Live as though you were going to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Living and learning are ongoing processes. There is no absolute in either. Living gives us the opportunity to continue to learn and as we continue to learn we have the opportunity to develop greater wisdom.

When you observe, wonder and listen you have created a perfect template for learning. All too often in our focusing on our independence we fail to take advantage of the experience and example of others as we are intent on forging our own path.

Success

Time is one of our most precious resources. One of the key determiners of success is the ability to leverage time for maximum effectiveness. The willingness to learn from the experience and examples of successful people will leverage our time for the maximum impact.

Each year Warren Buffet auctions off lunch with him for charity. Businessmen routinely bid hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend their lunch hour with him. Their respect for his business acumen is so great that what they expect to learn in that hour is worth the incredible price they bid.

That is the power of leveraging time to learn.

Wisdom

Be wiser than the owl. Observe. Wonder. Listen. Learn.

In the words of Lin Yulang;

“Besides the art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination on non-essentials.”

When you embrace the wisdom of the owl you open the door to greater success not only in work but more importantly in life.

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