[June 25, 2022] If you go into the world of the strange, start a unique endeavor, accept a new job, attend a university or have a new relationship, you are in unknown, unexplored territory. While the physical landscape surrounding you may appear the same, what you do is new, and your mind generates fear, a classic defense mechanism.
The best way to act in this new place, this unknown territory for you, is to aim up, get your act together, tell the truth, live a meaningful life, and do difficult things. That is the best way of mastering a new territory.
The degree to which you can act this out tells us the degree to which you will become a master. And this will happen a lot faster than most of us think. It is remarkable how fast you can move forward if you can establish yourself and prove yourself useful in some way meaningful.
If you are naïve and move forward, then you will accomplish nothing.
There’s no courage in naivety. You don’t know what will stop you or the dangers you might have to handle. But to be aware of your own problems and weaknesses, yet still alert and self-conscious, and recognize your limitations, makes you more powerful than you could ever think.
And importantly, deciding to move forward into the unknown land is one of the secrets to a good life.
The scientific literature on this is clear. What you do with people who are afraid is lay out what their fear is about and expose them to it voluntarily. What does not happen is they get less afraid (as expected). They get braver, which is not the same as being less afraid.
You recognize that the world is just as dangerous as you thought, or even more dangerous, but now there is something in you that responds to taking that on voluntarily, and you grow and thrive as a consequence.
Consciously taking on dangerous tasks and with forethought is easier than if you were forced to do so. Intentionally taking on challenges is not as hard on your being.
There is nothing insignificant about voluntarily pushing yourself directly forward into the strange and unknown. And there is real adventure associated with this. Making this choice on a regular basis is the correct answer to building confidence and success.
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon (link here).
Another great article to make me think. And for me to think about what made so many people less courageous than they should have been during the recent covid pandemic! Too many cowards running our country then and now.
Yes, Maureen, and don’t forget to get Gen. Satterfield’s book that just came out a few months ago …. ‘Our Longest Year in Iraq.’ Getting his book is one way to support this leadership blog.
Wow, nice.
The best way to act in this new place, this unknown territory for you, is to aim up, get your act together, tell the truth, live a meaningful life, and do difficult things. POW, Gen. Satterfield hits the ball out of the park (sorry folks but I like baseball and couldn’t help using the metaphor). Have a great post-Roe v Wade day. Oh, did I trigger any snowflakes? I sure hope so.
Unwoke Dude, you made my day. Woke up my dog and he ran around the house after I yelled from reading your comment.
Just why I love this leadership website by Gen. Satterfield. The forums are a great place to read thoughtful comments and not crazy stuff like you see on Twitter or Facebook.
Great comments. 👍
If you want to get an idea how to be a better leader and, more important, a better person, then read this blog. If you want to play games in your basement and ignore reality, then don’t read it. You choice. Then it’s up to you to act.
Got that right Scotty. ✔
Great article, I had to read it a couple of times to make sure I understood. I think I do understand now. i think. Ha Ha. Good stuff.
“There is nothing insignificant about voluntarily pushing yourself directly forward into the strange and unknown. And there is real adventure associated with this. Making this choice on a regular basis is the correct answer to building confidence and success.” – Gen. Satterfield, and well said.
Got that right, Gen. Satterfield, da man!
👍 Love your comment. Gen. Satterfield is one big-a$$ leader and becoming a philosopher.
Gen. S. has been developing over time. You can go back and read his articles from 8 years ago (right here on his blog) and see how his sense of humanness has changed, and for the better. I recommend if someone wants to see this, then search on something you want to read and then start at the beginning. You will see a very important movement from practical leadership to ethical leadership. Just my thinking. And, I’ve been reading his blog now for almost 5 years.
Got that right Max and I’m with you, been reading this blog for years and find it the best place for advice.
Sometimes it is just best to walk into the unknown, the danger, the thing that scares you the most and that is what ultimately will make you a better person. You’ve got to peel off the old you (of corruption) and expose the new (ethical you).
Here’s a step into the unknown …… overturn Roe vs Wade and riots break out all over America. Yeah!
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Love babies, don’t kill them.