“If you look at your life as a tiny, yet influential part of history, then you can begin to know who you really are, and you will start to know that what you do professionally and how you impact the lives of others has more meaning.” – Paraphrasing Peter Schwartz, The Art of the Long View
I often quote Schwartz’ great book, “The Art of the Long View,” when I talk about China and their belief that ultimately, they will be the world’s dominant power. I also use Schwartz to highlight how great businesses last over 100 years, because of their long-view philosophy on getting the right people and being able to adjust and adapt to a changing world…all of this is a recipe for success.
While I am certainly not a China expert, China’s ancient culture is deeply rooted in the concept of “Dao” (the Way), which amongst other things, focuses on a long-term perspective when making decisions. Even if it takes generations to achieve, China is committed to their path. That said, while I watch China closely, I do like the mantra of taking the long view as we look at our individual path, as our life clock ticks. As Schwartz says, as we really reflect on how we live our lives…we start to see how our individual piece fits within life’s historical puzzle.
The real message is that, when we realize who we truly are, it is at that point where we can be the most impactful. For example, perhaps we can:
As in business and in life, one cannot sprint to success. Life is a marathon with a lot of ups and downs and is constantly testing our ability to overcome adversity. So, we should all take a deep breath and perhaps heed counsel of The Art of the Long View, in our relationships, our approach to business, and our approach to our careers. If we do as Schwartz says…we will find meaning in each other and within ourselves…and then, and only then, will we finally be content.
The Art of the Long view as you can see…is not just about China…it really can be a light to the right path.