Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
(Robert Frost) Life, and the road to wisdom, is full of choices.
We stand at countless crossroads, we face countless choices, and we most often cannot go back to the same crossroad once we have made certain choices.
I remember when I was very young, I used to read those books where you get to choose your own story.
Every few pages I was faced with a choice.
Every choice led to another choice.
And the story unfolded accordingly...
Imagine how many choices were available, and imagine going through every single choice available! The book would take ages to complete.
Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately!), life is not a book where you can always go back to the original choice or some choice in between and change the whole story.
Some choices are irreversible, others have deep and lasting impact, while others prove limited in significance either way.
Few are reversible.
So how can you optimize your choices at a young age? And how do you know which way is best, when you're still starting fresh? The answer and the key lies in development.
It is never too early to start.
We develop competencies, skills, and capabilities from the day we are born.
But we do not always develop the awareness we need.
Development is a choice.
You can choose to start early, or you can decide that you'd rather live a carefree, happy-go-lucky early adulthood and then start attending to your development.
But you know what, the younger you are, the more flexible, and the faster you'll learn.
Why wait for the first reprimand from your boss, or the first lay-off decision thrown in your face? One way you can develop on a daily basis is to always ask for feedback.
Feedback is hard to give, and many people would rather just turn a blind eye than give you honest and constructive feedback.
This is because they may fear your reaction, they may not care enough, or they may not have the guts to give it honestly, among other reasons...
So when you ask for feedback and display a willingness to listen and respond to even the toughest comments, people around you will find it much easier to give it to you.
The more you ask for and receive feedback, the more self-aware you become.
And self-awareness is one of the most important competencies you can develop.
Self-awareness also helps keep that ego in check! Another way that can fast-track your development is to seek mentors and coaches.
No need for you to go through every experience to learn.
Tap into the resources and richness available from older, more experienced people around you.
Ask for their help, direction, and advice.
Ask them what they would do if they were facing a similar situation to yours.
Ask them for honest feedback and suggestions on where you can develop.
If and when you do, you will find your way to being a better leader (in whatever situation, context, or environment you're in) easier and smoother.
360 degree feedback is one very powerful tool for development, used by top executives in the corporate world.
More and more people and companies are realizing its importance, and are seeking ways to make the most of it in their work and lives.
Typically, though, people tend to use it later in their careers.
And then only in their work context.
But why keep it so? Why not grab the chance and start early? Why not take advantage at a young age? 360 degree feedback can be a jump-starter, a trampoline that can give you the edge and competitive advantage you need for a successful career.
So why not start now? Take a 360, be open, respond to the feedback you get, ask why and how, pinpoint the areas you need to develop, and get started! Then repeat the process every year or so.
Feedback is a continuous process.
Development even more so.
With an open attitude, a receiving attitude, but also a critical mind that questions, you can learn, grow, develop, and mature as early as you want...
The road to wisdom is long, so start early! Wisdom is a lifelong quest, and there is no limit to wisdom.
Bottom line: you're NEVER too young for a 360!!! You're never too young to start learning and developing, and never too old either! There is no room for standing still.
So, whether you're a young adult eager to get going in the world of work, or well into your career, you can start developing now.
Whether you are leading a small scouts group, a student council, a sales team, or an organization, feedback is essential, and development a must.
When will YOU start?