Thinking Differently

Ken Haycock, Dean of San Jose State University SLIS, commented in his keynote at the Jan. 2007 SLA Leadership Summit that librarians risk wallowing in a culture of victimization and risk aversion. By pointing to a potential problem he allowed us to discuss it and work to avoid the downside of black hat negative thinking.
I was reminded of this by a recent post called “People Who Become Wealthy Think Differently” by Dr. Lauchlan A. K. Mackinnon discusses the book Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker who argues that people who become wealthy think differently in 17 specific ways:
Rich people believe: “I create my life.” Poor people believe: “Life happens to me.”
Rich people play the money game to win. Poor people play the money game to not lose.
Rich people are committed to being rich. Poor people want to be rich.
Rich people think big. Poor people think small.
Rich people focus on opportunities. Poor people focus on obstacles.
Rich people admire other rich and successful people. Poor people resent rich and successful people.
Rich people associate with positive, successful people. Poor people associate with negative or unsuccessful people.
Rich people are willing to promote themselves and their value. Poor people think negatively about selling and promotion.
Rich people are bigger than their problems. Poor people are smaller than their problems.
Rich people are excellent receivers. Poor people are poor receivers.
Rich people choose to get paid based on results. Poor people choose to get paid based on time.
Rich people think “both”. Poor people think “either/or”.
Rich people focus on their net worth. Poor people focus on their working income.
Rich people manage their money well. Poor people mismanage their money well.
Rich people have their money work hard for them. Poor people work hard for their money.
Rich people act in spite of fear. Poor people let fear stop them.
Rich people constantly learn and grow. Poor people think they already know.
Try re-reading the list and substitute the following for rich people/poor people:
Leaders and effective followers, Daily Workers
Innovative librarians, conservative librarians
Librarian 2.0, Librarian 1.0
Positive folks, Cautious folks
Open thinkers, Risk-averse thinkers
Bloggers and sharers, non-contributors
Continuous Learners, ‘Done” people
Sometimes reasons are excuses, poverty is a state of mind and inertia and fear are more powerful in our minds than reality. (yes, and sometimes not – although a positive attitude seems to trump everything.)
I know this might annoy a few folks – especially my bravely anonymous critics. It’s meant to be a discussion launch point not a criticism. There are tons of innovative librarians, libraries and people in our world. Are we supportive enough of them? Are we focusing on future success or potential failure?
I’m just saying….
Stephen