The Power of Observing and Learning

               The Power of Observing and Learning

We can learn a tremendous amount by observing all that goes on

around us. I’ve been motivated many times just by observing the people

with whom I came in contact. I love to imagine myself practicing other

people’s careers. I try to picture myself for a while working at others’

job duties, feeling their emotions, and thinking their thoughts. I do this

not because I’m unhappy with myself, but rather to gain insight and

inspiration in my own type of work.

Each time I go on vacation, I look closely at other people. I study

them, their jobs, and their attitudes. I’ll look at the hotel clerks and all

other workers and wonder what it’s like to do their work. What sense of

gratification do they feel from helping others? How much satisfaction

do they get out of their work, and are they happy, or do they just try

to get to closing time and go home? I look at other people’s work and

wonder if it is fulfilling enough. Could I do it? How would I see myself

and my attitude in five years’ time if I were to do their jobs? I try to get

inside their minds. Maybe it’s the writer inside of me.

By looking around and observing, you can actually picture yourself

doing some other line of work. You can look into other people’s concerns

and level of satisfaction without leaving your own job. I’m amazed when

I think about all that actually goes on around us. There are days when,

while driving to work, I look around and observe other drivers going to

their destinations. And as I do, I think about our city, the state, the whole

country. I think about the people working all sorts of different jobs: the

police officers, firefighters, teachers, bakers, and so many others.

Even while we sleep, the cities, with all their nighttime workers,

never do. Each night, all the major newspapers are cranking out their

copies while most of us are snoring. This country runs like a well-oiled

machine twenty-four hours a day. Even if you can’t work for a while, our

country keeps right on moving and churning.

It’s amazing to me! I’m motivated by this positive work movement

in our country. Even if you want to retire, you count on all the services

around you to continue. This inspires me to do my part, to try to make

my imprint, no matter how small it may be. It feels good knowing that

I am helping to keep the country spinning.

We should all start to observe closely. It works best when you

observe strangers. So, the next time you travel out of town, try using

the observation technique. Look, listen, and feel. It doesn’t cost you

anything. But I guarantee that if you practice the technique, not only

will you learn a great deal that you might have previously overlooked

about the world around you, but you’ll feel good about yourself. You’ll

also come away with a feeling of confidence and a new sense of ambition

that will please and surprise you. Put yourself in that other person’s

shoes, even if just for a few minutes.

It feels great to be a contributing factor in the ongoing turning of

the world. We all need to be reminded that we’re not alone, that we each

have to be a productive individual, and that we all need to rely on one

another to do our best and help by pulling our own weight.

    “The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look

    for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.”

—George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), Playwright, political activist

C-2012 J. Carinci from the book An All-Consuming Desire To Succeed