08/11/2023
August
A Month to Gain Wisdom
August is a good month to engage in some self-reflection. For many people summer is a slower paced time. August is a transitional month. We are like school children trying to get the most out of those last days of swimming, county fairs, and playing outside. “Going back to school is analogous to what we adults know that we will soon be facing. The last quarter of the year is full of responsibilities and if you are in business, it’s your last chance to finish strong.
What responsibilities are you facing?
Wisdom has been on my mind a lot lately. As a business and life coach I see so many people failing simply for a lack of wisdom or even what you would call “good common sense.” I’ve noticed a pattern. There is so much information available on the internet that some people have the false impression that they are adequately equipped to make complex business and personal decisions after a few google searches. Knowledge (especially obtained from some trendy or self-proclaimed guru) is not the same as wisdom. Wisdom has many components such as self-reflection, prosocial behaviors, emotional regulation, acceptance of diverse perspectives, decisiveness, social advising, and spirituality.
Do you have knowledge or wisdom?
Wisdom has been studied extensively in positive psychology. The founders of positive psychology, Dr. Chris Peterson and Dr. Martin Seligman define wisdom as “the knowledge, hard fought for and then used for good.” They found that the character strengths of creativity, curiosity, judgement, love of learning and perspective are correlated with wisdom. Wisdom is fostered by perspective and perspective is correlated with social intelligence, judgement, hope, bravery, and honesty.
What components of wisdom do you have?
I’m beginning to realize that many of my past problems in my personal and professional life stemmed back to simply not practicing sound wisdom. I actually learned a lot about wisdom before the internet and before studying psychology. I learned about wisdom from my Judeo-Christian upbringing and from my father. Wisdom involves restraint and humility. “A fool gives full vent to his spirit but a wise man quietly holds it back.” (Proverbs 29:11) “The wise of heart will receive commandments but a babbling fool will be doomed to ruin” (Proverbs 10:8). There were times when I would become emotional and say or do something regrettable.
When do you show out in public?
As a business coach, I see so many business owners struggle with sales and customer service. They babble their way right into a ditch. Many people have the mistaken impression that they should express anything and everything that comes to their mind. My father taught me to watch, listen, and speak sparingly. He explained that you needed to find out about your customer, and not expound about yourself. The following verse gives great advice:” Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer each person” (Colossians 4: 5-6). In a nutshell, this is mainly what you need to know about sales and customer service. This is where so many sales programs fall short. Each customer is different and deserves a unique approach. Formulas and cookie cutter approaches fall short. Every day thousands of business owners lose sales and alienate others due to their lack of wisdom.
How is a lack of wisdom sabotaging your business?
It is best if wisdom starts at home and not on the internet. I recently saw a perfect example of invaluable wisdom being passed from one generation to the next. I sponsored a horsemanship workshop lead by Jerry and Nicolas Diaz. Jerry Diaz is a 4th generation charro that originated with his grandfather over 150 years ago. Being a charro is not just being a skilled horseman. It has to do with tradition, pride, and how one conducts one’s lifestyle. It involves a certain culture and etiquette. Jerry Diaz keeps these traditions alive by honoring his parent’s memory every year at a special rodeo he has at his ranch in Texas. He is passing these traditions to his 19-year-old son Nicolas Diaz.
What would it be like if wisdom was your family legacy?
I noticed how wise Jerry Diaz is both with people and with horses. He is always positive and never makes you feel bad about yourself or your horse. He clearly realizes that each owner and their horse need a different approach. He watches and listens carefully. He proudly tells many instructive stories of things that he learned from his father Jose “Pepe” Diaz. His son Nicolas is already very wise for his age. This is because Jerry always spent many hours with his son just like his father did with him. Jerry also draws wisdom from his Catholic faith and made sure that his son was raised in the same tradition.
How do you create win-win situations that are infused with wisdom?
We have now examined the concept of wisdom from both a secular and spiritual perspective. I am certainly not discouraging learning from modern science, the internet or famous business gurus. However, it is important not to confuse knowledge with wisdom. Wisdom requires a broader perspective. There is much more to wisdom. Wisdom requires learning just what to do or not to do in each particular circumstance. One of the best ways to gain wisdom is to find a Jerry Diaz in your life and study them. I was fortunate to have my father and I draw on Jerry Diaz’s wisdom to train my horses, run my business and enjoy my life.
Who is your Jerry Diaz?
If you would like to get away and ponder wisdom, visit my vacation rental in Buffalo Missouri. Use a rural retreat to develop the wisdom that you’ll need to have a productive 4th quarter.
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