Listen to Your Inclination

Inclination [In-kluh-ney-shuh n] - noun : A disposition or bent, esp. of the mind or will; a liking or preference

In the 20 Century Fox movie Knight and Day (2010), the two main characters are on a plane having a friendly conversation. The character played by Cameron Diaz starts talking about the things she will do “someday”. The character played by Tom Cruise responds “Someday. That’s a dangerous word. It’s really just a code for ‘never’.

It is a sobering belief, to believe that all of the items on your bucket list are merely there in fantasy and will never take form.

Turning “someday” from disbelief to hope, Rob Thomas uses another form of expression to convey the power of choice in the song “Someday”. He sings, “’cause maybe someday we’ll figure all this out. We’ll put an end to all our doubt. Try to find a way to just feel better now . And maybe someday we’ll live our lives out loud. We’ll be better off somehow. Someday.”

So, how does one make ‘someday’ thinking become ‘today’ thinking? It seems like such an easy thing to do. Maybe too simple, in fact. One manner is to allow yourself to let your inclinations drive your actions.

Now, you probably noticed I used the word inclination versus instinct or dreams or… I like the word inclination as it paints a picture for me of bent, lean, bias, tendency, propensity, and predilection. It makes me feel that if there were no limitations, natural gravity would push us there.

Seth Godin, the author of the book, Linchpin, believes there is a new type of team member appearing around the world. They aren’t managers, they aren’t labor, they are indispensible and they guide their actions with their gut.

Driving based on their inclinations, these individuals Godin calls the “linchpins”. He says linchpins “invent, lead (regardless of title), connect, make things happen, and create order out of chaos.” He goes on to say they are indispensible because they truly enjoy what they do, “pour their best selves into it” and turn each day into a unique experience for their customers, management and peers.

“Every day, I meet people who have so much to give but have been bullied enough or frightened enough to hold it back. It’s time to stop complying with the system and draw your own map,” says Godin.

Listening to your inclination …
· allows you to follow your morale compass in decisioning.
· affords you to drive forward without a rule book.
· Helps you find shortcuts that others can’t see.
· Lights paths in relationship building because people see you as authentic.
· Gives you the tools to draw your own map.
· rids you of the resistance that holds others back.

You have brilliance in you. The work you do is essential. What you bring to work every day is precious. It is uniquely yours, only you can do what you do, and per Godin (and me!) you must.

Thank you for letting me share,
~Stacy

Knight and Day @20 Century fox 2010
“Someday” written by Rob Thomas, Shy Carter, Matt Serletic @2009
Linchpin written by Seth Godin @Do You Zoom, Inc., 2010