We all have potential; it is human nature. We were designed to survive, thrive and evolve. But, nowadays, many of us get stuck in a mindset of ‘stuckness’. How do we move away from it?
Coromind has had the pleasure of featuring potential developer Dave Burton since our first issue. Dave is a personal and executive coach and mentor who supports leadership and organisational development. He understands where you or your company are and provides insight on where to go next or what obstacles might hinder your success.
To celebrate this collaboration, we asked Dave to share some insights on success and how we can live our best lives.
You’ve written about Eldership and the invaluable wisdom older generations bring. Please share your thoughts on how modern communities can better integrate and honour this wisdom in our fast-paced world.
Our first responsibility as elders is to let our community know we exist, are relevant, and can be of use. We need to demonstrate (not pontificate) that we stand for a better future and don’t just want to recreate the past. In my case, I stand for a future that sustains our lives and our planet, reduces war, greed, and extremism, and allows people to flourish as who they are.
And the community’s responsibility? To respect the experience we offer. I am concerned that we don’t always make this easy as we can come across as knowing it all, but then so can younger people. The solution I see to this is that we all have to listen to each other, to understand our different perspectives rather than defend them.
What are some common ‘stuckness’ mindsets you encounter, and what initial steps do you recommend for individuals looking to break free from these patterns?
The first ‘stuck mindset’ shows up in statements like “I don’t have time to do this” or “This will never change”. I help people understand that these are just mindsets and can be altered. The results can be amazing. Once people make time to change their situation, they get a double benefit: things start to improve and the person feels better for having reclaimed some sense of control or self-determination.
The second is almost the opposite. It’s the “I can do what I like with no consequences”’ mindset, often with an incorporated ignorance of, or disdain for, the consequences of their actions. Pointing out these consequences can help. This applies to individuals, organisations, societies, communities and the world at large. Some world leaders make decisions that have horrendous consequences, and as individuals, we too make decisions that have negative impacts, albeit on a smaller scale.
And how do we break free? We let go! We let go of negative and restricting beliefs, viewpoints, and preconceptions, along with greed and ego. This is not always easy, as it requires discipline and a preparedness to be wrong and face the consequences of having done things which have caused damage – or not having done things that could have prevented damage.
What advice would you give about balancing ambition with well-being in the pursuit of success?
Listen to yourself. Are you pursuing pleasure, wealth, recognition and fame? Or are you committed to your fulfilment as a human being, becoming fully who you are and contributing to those around you?
Coromind admires the way you live your craft, Dave; a professionally active senior eager to learn. How do you maintain such proactiveness? What impact do you believe it has on your personal and professional life?
Thank you. I keep in touch with thought leaders, like-minded people and differently-minded people. I reflect on what I hear and experience. I question myself continually. I do my best to hold what I know graciously, and offer it to others rather than push it on to them. I recognise that we each have a unique experience of life, and I cling doggedly to the view that at any point in time, we’re all doing our best with the resources we have available to us. Sometimes those resources are enough to meet the challenges we face, and sometimes they’re not, but either way, we do the best we can in the moment.
And these actions and beliefs make my life fulfilling, rewarding and endlessly challenging. I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Get in touch with Dave here
Words by Dave Burton
Coromind: Coromandel’s Collaborative Magazine
Help us take Coromind Magazine to new heights by becoming a member. Click here
Change the Weather for Your Business: Advertise with Us.
Advertise your business in the whole Hauraki Coromandel in the coolest Coromandel Art Magazine, from Waihi Beach/Paeroa /Thames up to the Great Barrier Island.
Advertise Smarter, Not Harder: Get in Touch
