Challenge: Walk a Mile in Another Guy’s Shoes
Summertime gracefully takes the edge off of those daily stressors. With class schedules weaning, sunshine shining, and tons of people on vacation — we tend to slow down. Our minds slow down, and oftentimes our business slows down. We can suddenly relax just a bit longer. And, in between fearing that we won’t have enough money for rent, or we’ll have to get a day-job, we actually enjoy ourselves.
This can be a perfect time to really challenge ourselves to become deeper thinkers. When we’re not in school, or stuck in the house — we can open our minds to a different type of learning.
I always told myself that I wanted to sleep on the street — for one night. I know it’s not exactly a dignified goal (when you first think about it). Besides actually wanting to know what it must be like for the hundreds of people who do it in my neighborhood each night — I wanted to do it for research.
I haven’t done it yet.
But, what I have done is walked around the city blindfolded for a day (with a trusting companion), used a wheelchair for a few hours, and eaten with the homeless at a shelter (these small tasks were in preparation for the big one).
Walking around blindfolded was really frightening. And, I found that I didn’t trust my companion all that much. The wheel chair really hurt my arms and made me self conscious. I don’t know what it’s like to be visually impaired or paraplegic, but I got a moment’s taste of the two. I learned something valuable about these people. And, I learned how weak I can be.
When I write stories I need to create characters that have realistic gestures and habits. This hands-on research really pays off in my business. But, I think any business owner can stand to gain by stepping into the shoes of his audience or competition — or even his role models.
Any time that we let go of ourselves and our egos, our minds can be filled with valuable lessons. This summer, while you’ve got some spare time, consider planning a little research adventure of your own. Whose shoes do you need to walk in, in order to learn more about yourself? Whose life can teach you how to better speak to your clients (or even deal with your folks)?
Step into the shoes of the man who frightens you most. Then you will have a great story to tell.
3 Comments
David Askaripour
June 29th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
I want to go live in a so-called third-world country for a year. I think it’ll really give me a better perspective of live. Over the past few months I’ve been considering moving to Mexico for a while… been to Brazil once, it was great!
lawrence
June 29th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
why would you want to sleep on the street, and simulate being a crippled person in a wheel chair?
it’s just like death - don’t flirt with it, or it just might come to you.
just the thought of simulating being a homeless person for a day is draining me already
Gina
June 29th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Lawrence,
If the thought is draining you - then don’t sleep on the street. You need to be alert for that — sleep with one eye open, and you’ll be too tired.
Personally, I just love people. And, I strive to understand and listen to what people have to teach me. I know many people with disabilities, so it helped me to feel what it was like to be like them for a moment.
I think there’s something interesting in what you said. I believe we can subconsciously will things to happen to us (or maybe it’s called kharma, I don’t know). But, death will come to me someday anyway — so I just try to stay positive and keep challenging my mind. I think fear is really what cripples a person.
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