The Prerequisite for Success is Understanding the Difference between Order and Control
Understanding the difference between order and control is a prerequisite for success. Whether that success be success in the family, success in the workplace, or success in the marketplace, understanding the difference between what is controllable by oneself and what everyone|everything else is pushing toward is the common denominator of achieving success.
I’ve seen many businesses fail because the business leaders wouldn’t “give up” control. Marriages fail because a partner won’t “give up” control. Friendships, bands, political leaders, you name it. But “giving up” control is a misnomer. Rarely does that control exist in the first place. In business, the stability of market demand (order) sets the stage for the business leaders to market their product. In relationships, the emotional roller coaster of hormones and feelings (order) sets the stage for the relationship to take off. What is often perceived as initial control is usually a reaction to a broader set of causes and effects. As an example, imagine you’re playing a video game. You feel like you’re controlling the characters actions, but in reality, you’re simply following the path created for you by a developer team. Choosing from a set of actions you were allowed.
Choice still exists. Choice always exists. It is control that often doesn’t. So “give up” control. Find the order that exists in the marketplace | your relationship. React to that, instead of what you just want. Be aware. Be honest. Be successful.
The Prerequisite for Success is Understanding the Difference between Order and Control
What do you think about these thoughts on order, control, and choice? What are your thoughts?
- Megatrends and Blogging (problogger.com)
- AIG and the Drawbacks of Populism (themoderatevoice.com)
- What is Business For? (slowleadership.org)
- Twitter Dumbs Down, Removes @Replies (blippitt.com)
- Do we need minimum wage legislations? (citizeneconomists.com)
- GigaOM: Why Email Clients Need to Change (boxofmeat.net)
- Us Now: Democratizing democracy (fasterfuture.blogspot.com)






David and Glenn - mid-1980's Alaska