Making Changes: The Hole In Your Sidewalk
If you are one of those who use weekend relaxation as a peaceful way to think about some things you might need to change in your life, you may want to reflect on Portia Nelson's There's a Hole in My Sidewalk: An Autobiography in Five Short Chapters:
Chapter 1
I walk down the street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in. I am lost .... I am helpless.
It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter 2
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend that I don't see it.I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in this same place.
But, it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in ... it's a habit ... but, my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter 5
I walk down another street.
for me, one neat way to explain the four stages of learning/growth...unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence, unconscious competence
Posted by: peter vajda | July 25, 2008 at 10:13 AM
It's been a long time since I've seen this one, Steve. But it's always fresh. Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by: RobynM | July 25, 2008 at 05:04 PM
An astute observation, Peter. And an effective story-telling way to convey what can often sound like psycho-babble to many people.
Posted by: Steve Roesler | July 28, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Robyn,
Isn't it wonderful how stories that convey deeper truths always seem to be fresh when revisited?
Posted by: Steve Roesler | July 28, 2008 at 08:29 PM