Our better self lies within us.
Hemingway had to pick up a pen. Prefontaine had to take a run. Costeau had to learn to SCUBA.
We can mold ourselves, our business and our community through repetition, rehearsal and discipline. To grow and improve, you can’t do it alone. You need a league of giants.
The Beach Boys vs. The Beatles
At the end of 1965, Brian Wilson, lead singer of the Beach Boys, heard the Beatles’ Rubber Soul for the first time. As Wilson put it, “Rubber Soul was a collection of songs…that somehow went together like no album ever made before, and I was very impressed.”
While losing himself in “Norwegian Wood,” something else happened. It challenged him to make a better album.
Wilson moved beyond the surfer sounds (despite objections from his record company) and created Pet Sounds, now regarded as the Beach Boys’ most critically acclaimed album. Suddenly, the Beatles had competition.
The Beatles were challenged and headed straight for the studio. A year later, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was recorded and the music of the Beatles reached new creative heights, openly inspired by Wilson.
Alone, the Beatles may never have created the art loved by so many. For them, the Beach Boys were in their league of giants. The Beach Boys pushed the limits and became the shoulders upon which the next giant of an album was created.
The Top is Not the Finish
This competition shows up across industries and eras: Agassi and Sampras, Jobs and Gates, Sputnik and Apollo.
In our worlds, we often are the big fish in our pond. You might be the most creative person, the fastest growing business or the best [insert product/service] in your area. In these situations, it’s easy to enjoy the view on top.
The heights we reach, however, are not the finish line. There are others doing similar work in a more creative, successful or interesting way. You can ignore them and think of yourself as a finished product, or you can seek out the giants who challenge you to improve.
Life After Tampons
Jennifer Boykin is one seeking giants (and noting the importance of a league of giants). Once a young flautist with big dreams, she woke up at 50 realizing she had put her big ideas on hold. She decided it was not too late and created Life After Tampons, a blog and community that helped her seek giants and a life with purpose.
Now as a “midlife midwife”, she is a giant for other women looking for inspiration and a friendly kick to change their lives.
This is when it gets dangerous.
Giant Seeking Giant
Most of us are a giant for others. It’s easy to feel satisfied acting as a mentor and leader, but you can’t stop here. Destroy this comfort and put yourself in situations that stretch and challenge you.
This might mean attending events with people who are better than you. It might mean searching online and starting conversations with people smarter than you. It might mean comparing your business and its success to larger, more successful companies.
Boykin now stretches herself by combining her musical past with her message at conferences. I’ll be attending a meeting of community builders who are way better than me at creating events that transform communities. At 9 Clouds we have mentors who are much better than us at business.
Giants are everywhere and while we think we may have reached our peak, we can be more.
Keep writing, running, diving and creating. Someone is creating Pet Sounds and you need to be ready to jump off of their shoulders.
Thanks for reading. Let us know where you find your giants. Just tweet @9clouds or leave a comment below!
