When the teacher asked questions, most of the students
raised their hands. The ambitious or popular students were usually chosen first to
respond with the answer. This situation took place often, throughout the day.
If you were selected and didn’t respond with the correct answer, good luck
being picked again, anytime soon .
 |
| Image courtesy of:
|
The subtle message was :
1.
You weren’t popular.
2.
The teacher didn’t trust your judgment.
3.
What you thought didn’t matter.
During the summer before a basketball game, it was common for the two most popular and gifted athletes to choose
their teams from a select group. The decision to choose the most gifted
athletes would be chosen first, usually followed by choosing the most popular or friends
of the person doing the picking. Being one of the last two possible selections indicated
you weren’t valued as much and if there was any hesitancy as who to choose it
didn’t speak well for either of you. Being the last player selected meant you were
“stuck” (no pick for you) on one of
the team’s roster.
Being last meant:
1.
You weren’t very good.
2.
You weren’t very popular.
3.
You weren’t really wanted.
The same process appears throughout your career in
lieu of promotions, positions, hiring and lay-offs. It’s all part of the same
system of the Industrial Age. Instead of recognizing and nurturing individuals
strength we follow the same rules rewarding the gifted, popular and our friends,
while ignoring the rest. For 100 years, it was the only way to ensure
fitting-in, compliance and conformity.
Not anymore.
Picking yourself is all that matters. Artists
always pick themselves; they don’t wait for permission, acceptance or a christening.
We always felt artists were strange, different or didn’t quite fit-in. Artists
aren’t concerned with the status quo, survey results or a spreadsheet, their
focus is strictly on their core mission .
It's no coincidence artists are the catalyst
of change. The system refers to those people as inventors, however; they were artists first and foremost. Ford,
Gates or Edison didn’t form a consensus group, become elected or chosen by anyone. Picasso, Tchaikovsky, Dylan and Symon picked themselves. Some said they
were crazy and wasting their time, but their determination to succeed came from
within.
Art touches our lives, inspires movements and forges technology.
As we
sit on the cusp of change in the post-industrial revolution- isn’t it time we
pick ourselves?
Until We Meet Again,
Jim Carver
Jim Carver
Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School
“Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
Disclaimer- Books and
links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver
and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses
that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy
of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my
work. Thank you.
