The Caveman Continuum – Where Do You Live
When helping transform business organizations I work with teams on identifying the 5 different types of team members that they have on their teams / staff, etc. We assess where they fall on what I call the Caveman Continuum and try very hard to move them as far to the right along the line in the diagram below as possible. Transforming people from being against almost everything possible, to at least help it happen types. Doing this causes huge, positive and transformative changes to happen within the organization. It also opens leaders eyes to people who simply can’t be on the team anymore as they are anchors holding the group back.
The same principle applies to ourselves as individuals trying to make the most of the 4k/2k week lifestyle we continue to discuss here. All of us (myself included) will find ourselves at different points along this line at different times in our lives or in relation to specific topics or issues. What is important however is what our normal place along this continuum, and how we can ensure we get ourselves all the way to the right side of it. Let’s take a moment and look at the 5 different locations on it from the lower unproductive end of it that holds us back, to the highest levels that enable us to maximize our efforts, lives and ability to make an impact to others:
- Strongly Resistant – Here is the CAVEperson, when here you are a Citizen Against Virtually Everything. Our mindset is such when in this mode that no idea is a good idea, the world is a terrible place and we are victims of circumstance with no way out, just bad luck. We have ALL been here, we all need to agree that it is a miserable place to be. Each of us knows someone who basically goes through life living here and that is a very sad place to be indeed. It’s critical that if you find yourself here that you truly take time to determine what is the underlying cause of why you are feeling this way. If you can’t determine it on your own then seeking help from others, even professionals is important. When in this mindset it will be nearly impossible for you to learn, grow, contribute or even derive any sense of happiness out of live. When you find yourself here, realize it is mission critical to get out ASAP!!
- Mildly Resistant – Here is where we find ourselves saying “yeah, but” a lot, and we become a “yeah,but” person when we are living here. We can at least see what needs to be done or what we would like to go get done, but past failure, self-doubt, lack of motivation, etc. stop us from taking action. Instead we think:
See the pattern here. We have ideas, hopes dreams and aspirations but we talk ourselves out of taking any action. We are just one are up from being the CAVEperson. We can see value in new ideas and endeavors but we are our own worst enemy. Here is the spot of the continuum where dreams go to die. We must recognize when we are here and realize that as long as we stay there, good things will not happen!!
- Neutral – Lot’s of people (I’d argue most) pretty much live their life at the next stop on the continuum which is being a “let it happen” person. When we are here we are just along for the ride. We are not fighting against change, progress, growth or opportunity, however, we are not fighting for them either. If good things come our way we chalk it up to good luck or a good day and if bad things come our way we bemoan bad luck and may find ourselves being pushed back down the continuum. When we are in a let it happen state we have to have the ability to recognize it and quickly and take steps to move up the continuum and realize breakthrough results and progress. Conversely we also can choose to remain here and at best just go through the motions for the rest of our lives, or worse yet find ourselves as miserable CAVEpeople, which choice will you make?
- Mildly Supportive – Once we are able to get to the next stop on the continuum we will find ourselves on the positive side of the coin. Now we have gone from a “let it happen” person to a “help it happen person”. We may not quite be ready yet to step up and be a leader at the forefront of the game of life, however, we are ready to start helping ourselves and those around us to realize our goals and objectives and enjoy truly enjoy what life has to offer. We might not be training others at the gym but we are at the gym working out. We may not be volunteering to lead groups of people at work or home but we ARE volunteering to participate on those groups. Getting to this stop on the CAVEman Continuum is the minimum that we need to strive for in order to enjoy life. Once we get here the air smells better, the sky looks clearer, we start to see real growth and progress in our lives, and we realize achievement and satisfaction. Here we are not just making an impact on ourselves but also those around us. It’s relatively simple to move from here to the most ideal spot on the continuum which is:
- Strongly Supportive – Now we are a “make it happen” person and that is a beautiful place to be. We now love change and want to be in a position to lead and drive it. Our energy can be contagious and our passion can really be transformative to anyone that comes in contact with us. The only blind spot to look out for here is to ensure you are not a person who just likes change for the sake of change, but rather one who is understanding of their goals and objectives and is relentless in charting a course and executing what is necessary to achieve them. Once we get in the make it happen zone, the sky truly is the limit. You will wake up each day energized, passionate, positive and ready to truly take on the world. Just as we all are CAVEpeople at least at times, all of us have also at least had times in our lives where we are in make it happen mode and you know how good that feels.
In a future installment we will discuss the concepts, work and methods that will help us ensure we are living as far on the right side of the CAVEman Continuum as possible. If you took the time to read this article from beginning to end then I know you will take the time to do two quick things;
- Take a moment and evaluate where you were on the Continuum today
- Reflect and be honest with yourself and as objectively as possible identify where along this line you typically live. Are you letting life happen, “yeah butting” your way through live, Making life happen, etc.
Once you truly identify where you norm is we can then put a plan together to get you moving to the right.
Here’s Hoping You Had a “Make It Happen Day”!!
Robert John
As always feel free to reach out directly to me for help or to share your own personal insight at : Info@officialrobertjohn.com
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