[Applause] I like to invite all of you all of you
I like to invite all of you all of you
I like to invite all of you all of you right now to take a hike not to leave
right now to take a hike not to leave
right now to take a hike not to leave but to take a hike with my wife and I on
but to take a hike with my wife and I on
but to take a hike with my wife and I on a beautiful beautiful fall day in
a beautiful beautiful fall day in
a beautiful beautiful fall day in upstate New York now before we take that
upstate New York now before we take that
upstate New York now before we take that hike before we go on that journey I’d
hike before we go on that journey I’d
hike before we go on that journey I’d like to set the stage a little bit my
like to set the stage a little bit my
like to set the stage a little bit my wife and I Deborah live in Manhattan and
wife and I Deborah live in Manhattan and
wife and I Deborah live in Manhattan and we decided one year that we wanted to
we decided one year that we wanted to
we decided one year that we wanted to get out and wanted to see the leaves
get out and wanted to see the leaves
get out and wanted to see the leaves change you know the Northeast is one of
change you know the Northeast is one of
change you know the Northeast is one of the most beautiful places in the world
the most beautiful places in the world
the most beautiful places in the world to see the foliage change and we decided
to see the foliage change and we decided
to see the foliage change and we decided we’d go during the middle of a week
we’d go during the middle of a week
we’d go during the middle of a week because why go on the weekend when
because why go on the weekend when
because why go on the weekend when everyone’s you know busy leafing around
everyone’s you know busy leafing around
everyone’s you know busy leafing around looking around let’s go and middle the
looking around let’s go and middle the
looking around let’s go and middle the week we’ll get up there there’ll be no
week we’ll get up there there’ll be no
week we’ll get up there there’ll be no one around we’ll have a great time and
one around we’ll have a great time and
one around we’ll have a great time and so we leave Manhattan and on the way up
so we leave Manhattan and on the way up
so we leave Manhattan and on the way up we get a flat tire so we have to fix the
we get a flat tire so we have to fix the
we get a flat tire so we have to fix the flat tire and by the time we get up to
flat tire and by the time we get up to
flat tire and by the time we get up to the area we were going which is called
the area we were going which is called
the area we were going which is called the Gunks in new Paul’s New York it’s a
the Gunks in new Paul’s New York it’s a
the Gunks in new Paul’s New York it’s a beautiful era and we went up to a state
beautiful era and we went up to a state
beautiful era and we went up to a state park up there we got there around 3:30
park up there we got there around 3:30
park up there we got there around 3:30 now I mentioned it’s a state park
now I mentioned it’s a state park
now I mentioned it’s a state park because it was a large state park and
because it was a large state park and
because it was a large state park and anyone who’s ever driven into Manhattan
anyone who’s ever driven into Manhattan
anyone who’s ever driven into Manhattan or live in Manhattan realizes that
or live in Manhattan realizes that
or live in Manhattan realizes that parking spaces are at a premium very
parking spaces are at a premium very
parking spaces are at a premium very hard to find parking spaces but when we
hard to find parking spaces but when we
hard to find parking spaces but when we drove into this National State Park and
drove into this National State Park and
drove into this National State Park and we drove into the parking lot
we drove into the parking lot
we drove into the parking lot it was just ample parking space we were
it was just ample parking space we were
it was just ample parking space we were just instantly happy and so we look
just instantly happy and so we look
just instantly happy and so we look around where we gonna park and we decide
around where we gonna park and we decide
around where we gonna park and we decide let’s just park right at the trailhead
let’s just park right at the trailhead
let’s just park right at the trailhead so that’s what we do we pull up to the
so that’s what we do we pull up to the
so that’s what we do we pull up to the trailhead and we begin our walk now I
trailhead and we begin our walk now I
trailhead and we begin our walk now I remember the day it was a beautiful
remember the day it was a beautiful
remember the day it was a beautiful beautiful day the the sky was this
beautiful day the the sky was this
beautiful day the the sky was this magnificent blue the air was crisp and
magnificent blue the air was crisp and
magnificent blue the air was crisp and clean and um the leaves all they were
clean and um the leaves all they were
clean and um the leaves all they were just glittering gold and red and we were
just glittering gold and red and we were
just glittering gold and red and we were just having a great time and my wife and
just having a great time and my wife and
just having a great time and my wife and I were walking holding hands
I were walking holding hands
I were walking holding hands and we’re laughing and we’re just having
and we’re laughing and we’re just having
and we’re laughing and we’re just having a terrific time and then we realize it’s
a terrific time and then we realize it’s
a terrific time and then we realize it’s getting late we started at 3:30 in the
getting late we started at 3:30 in the
getting late we started at 3:30 in the afternoon it’s the fall so we get a
afternoon it’s the fall so we get a
afternoon it’s the fall so we get a little concerned that if we don’t start
little concerned that if we don’t start
little concerned that if we don’t start heading back
heading back
heading back we’re gonna get lost we don’t want to do
we’re gonna get lost we don’t want to do
we’re gonna get lost we don’t want to do that so we start hiking back and Debra
that so we start hiking back and Debra
that so we start hiking back and Debra and I get back to the car and it is
and I get back to the car and it is
and I get back to the car and it is pitch black it’s pitch black so we
pitch black it’s pitch black so we
pitch black it’s pitch black so we decide we’re feeling so good so up so
decide we’re feeling so good so up so
decide we’re feeling so good so up so energetic that we decide instead of
energetic that we decide instead of
energetic that we decide instead of going back to the bed-and-breakfast and
going back to the bed-and-breakfast and
going back to the bed-and-breakfast and drop our luggage off we’ll go right out
drop our luggage off we’ll go right out
drop our luggage off we’ll go right out to dinner we’ll get a great bottle of
to dinner we’ll get a great bottle of
to dinner we’ll get a great bottle of red wine we’ll just have a great time
red wine we’ll just have a great time
red wine we’ll just have a great time so I turn on the car turn on the lights
so I turn on the car turn on the lights
so I turn on the car turn on the lights drive out of the parking lot feeling
drive out of the parking lot feeling
drive out of the parking lot feeling great as we pull out of the parking lot
great as we pull out of the parking lot
great as we pull out of the parking lot the headlights illuminate a huge chain
the headlights illuminate a huge chain
the headlights illuminate a huge chain across the exit now first I don’t say
across the exit now first I don’t say
across the exit now first I don’t say anything I know that Debra and I are
anything I know that Debra and I are
anything I know that Debra and I are thinking the same thing like what
thinking the same thing like what
thinking the same thing like what happened Wow
happened Wow
happened Wow this whole we’re this part oh the whole
this whole we’re this part oh the whole
this whole we’re this part oh the whole day is destroyed we are locked in a
day is destroyed we are locked in a
day is destroyed we are locked in a National State Park on a Wednesday the
National State Park on a Wednesday the
National State Park on a Wednesday the cell phone connections don’t even have
cell phone connections don’t even have
cell phone connections don’t even have one bar what are we gonna do and then I
one bar what are we gonna do and then I
one bar what are we gonna do and then I think I suggested to Debra that maybe
think I suggested to Debra that maybe
think I suggested to Debra that maybe she tried to make a call and she said no
she tried to make a call and she said no
she tried to make a call and she said no you make the call and before you know it
you make the call and before you know it
you make the call and before you know it we’re kind of having this bittering back
we’re kind of having this bittering back
we’re kind of having this bittering back and forth and I cannot take it I can’t
and forth and I cannot take it I can’t
and forth and I cannot take it I can’t take it anymore
take it anymore
take it anymore so I back up the car the chain the two
so I back up the car the chain the two
so I back up the car the chain the two posts and I see a little hill back up
posts and I see a little hill back up
posts and I see a little hill back up the car and I take the car and I Drive
the car and I take the car and I Drive
the car and I take the car and I Drive it up the hill and just as I’m about to
it up the hill and just as I’m about to
it up the hill and just as I’m about to drive up the hill Debra says Andy stop
drive up the hill Debra says Andy stop
drive up the hill Debra says Andy stop the car so I stopped the car I said
the car so I stopped the car I said
the car so I stopped the car I said Debra what she said look look at those
Debra what she said look look at those
Debra what she said look look at those rocks if you go up that hill you’re
rocks if you go up that hill you’re
rocks if you go up that hill you’re gonna kill the carriage of the car
gonna kill the carriage of the car
gonna kill the carriage of the car destroy the bottom of the car and the
destroy the bottom of the car and the
destroy the bottom of the car and the worst part is she was right so let it
worst part is she was right so let it
worst part is she was right so let it back up and and we’re just we’re just
back up and and we’re just we’re just
back up and and we’re just we’re just now sitting there staring at this chain
now sitting there staring at this chain
now sitting there staring at this chain and feeling really I don’t know
and feeling really I don’t know
and feeling really I don’t know depressed I don’t know like
depressed I don’t know like
depressed I don’t know like good and then Deborah says four words
good and then Deborah says four words
good and then Deborah says four words four words which changes everything I
four words which changes everything I
four words which changes everything I mean it just changed everything
mean it just changed everything
mean it just changed everything and what were those four words that she
and what were those four words that she
and what were those four words that she said well before I tell you those four
said well before I tell you those four
said well before I tell you those four words let me introduce to you a little
words let me introduce to you a little
words let me introduce to you a little mind map the mind map is designed was
mind map the mind map is designed was
mind map the mind map is designed was designed by a gentleman named a
designed by a gentleman named a
designed by a gentleman named a management guru named Chris arduous
management guru named Chris arduous
management guru named Chris arduous Chris Horace wanted to look at how we
Chris Horace wanted to look at how we
Chris Horace wanted to look at how we think how do we
think how do we
think how do we what’s our thought process what leads to
what’s our thought process what leads to
what’s our thought process what leads to a decision into an action and so we
a decision into an action and so we
a decision into an action and so we created this metaphor of a ladder with
created this metaphor of a ladder with
created this metaphor of a ladder with multiple rungs so I want you to think of
multiple rungs so I want you to think of
multiple rungs so I want you to think of this ladder it’s standing up and the
this ladder it’s standing up and the
this ladder it’s standing up and the ladder is surrounded by a pool of data a
ladder is surrounded by a pool of data a
ladder is surrounded by a pool of data a large pool of data and from that data
large pool of data and from that data
large pool of data and from that data you select data that’s the first rung
you select data that’s the first rung
you select data that’s the first rung you select data and then you kind of add
you select data and then you kind of add
you select data and then you kind of add meaning to that data and then what you
meaning to that data and then what you
meaning to that data and then what you do is you make an assumption the next
do is you make an assumption the next
do is you make an assumption the next rung is the Assumption on the ladder now
rung is the Assumption on the ladder now
rung is the Assumption on the ladder now an assumption is something that we take
an assumption is something that we take
an assumption is something that we take for granted it’s something we treat as a
for granted it’s something we treat as a
for granted it’s something we treat as a truth rather than a belief and we often
truth rather than a belief and we often
truth rather than a belief and we often make it subconsciously so that’s the
make it subconsciously so that’s the
make it subconsciously so that’s the next one then the next round of ladder
next one then the next round of ladder
next one then the next round of ladder is that we add meaning the next rung on
is that we add meaning the next rung on
is that we add meaning the next rung on the ladder is that we make a decision
the ladder is that we make a decision
the ladder is that we make a decision and the next one is that we take action
and the next one is that we take action
and the next one is that we take action now this is a pretty logical progression
now this is a pretty logical progression
now this is a pretty logical progression of thoughts it’s what makes a lot of
of thoughts it’s what makes a lot of
of thoughts it’s what makes a lot of sense except let’s look back and take a
sense except let’s look back and take a
sense except let’s look back and take a step back to Deborah and I and what did
step back to Deborah and I and what did
step back to Deborah and I and what did Deborah say that changed everything
Deborah say that changed everything
Deborah say that changed everything well she said to me Andy where’s the
well she said to me Andy where’s the
well she said to me Andy where’s the lock and I said yeah you know what
lock and I said yeah you know what
lock and I said yeah you know what Deborah where is the lock and I get out
Deborah where is the lock and I get out
Deborah where is the lock and I get out of the car and I go over to the chain
of the car and I go over to the chain
of the car and I go over to the chain and all it is it’s just a chain
and all it is it’s just a chain
and all it is it’s just a chain connected to a post and so I unhooked
connected to a post and so I unhooked
connected to a post and so I unhooked the post unhook a chain I walk back to
the post unhook a chain I walk back to
the post unhook a chain I walk back to the car now we’re feeling good and as I
the car now we’re feeling good and as I
the car now we’re feeling good and as I get to the car I look and underneath the
get to the car I look and underneath the
get to the car I look and underneath the windshield wiper on the driver’s side
windshield wiper on the driver’s side
windshield wiper on the driver’s side my side was a white piece of paper and
my side was a white piece of paper and
my side was a white piece of paper and it said if you leave the park after five
it said if you leave the park after five
it said if you leave the park after five o’clock just unhook the chain and make
o’clock just unhook the chain and make
o’clock just unhook the chain and make sure you hook it on the way out
sure you hook it on the way out
sure you hook it on the way out okay so let’s step back what happened
okay so let’s step back what happened
okay so let’s step back what happened Deborah and I saw a chain right and then
Deborah and I saw a chain right and then
Deborah and I saw a chain right and then we made two assumptions we made the
we made two assumptions we made the
we made two assumptions we made the assumption one that we were locked out
assumption one that we were locked out
assumption one that we were locked out and two we were alone in the situation
and two we were alone in the situation
and two we were alone in the situation there was no one there to help us now
there was no one there to help us now
there was no one there to help us now more importantly than that is that once
more importantly than that is that once
more importantly than that is that once we invested in those two assumptions
we invested in those two assumptions
we invested in those two assumptions then what happened is we began to focus
then what happened is we began to focus
then what happened is we began to focus on an unrealistic problem that did not
on an unrealistic problem that did not
on an unrealistic problem that did not exist
exist
exist we were not locked out and we were not
we were not locked out and we were not
we were not locked out and we were not alone so what it tells us is that we as
alone so what it tells us is that we as
alone so what it tells us is that we as humans have the ability to invest in
humans have the ability to invest in
humans have the ability to invest in assumptions which really do not reflect
assumptions which really do not reflect
assumptions which really do not reflect our reality in its essence that the
our reality in its essence that the
our reality in its essence that the chain create the reality no Deborah and
chain create the reality no Deborah and
chain create the reality no Deborah and I created the reality that we were
I created the reality that we were
I created the reality that we were locked in now some might say well you
locked in now some might say well you
locked in now some might say well you know I don’t want to make any
know I don’t want to make any
know I don’t want to make any assumptions that’s a that’s a terrible
assumptions that’s a that’s a terrible
assumptions that’s a that’s a terrible scenario but I think it’s the greatest
scenario but I think it’s the greatest
scenario but I think it’s the greatest lesson in the world because if our
lesson in the world because if our
lesson in the world because if our assumptions have the power to shape our
assumptions have the power to shape our
assumptions have the power to shape our reality then that means if you’re able
reality then that means if you’re able
reality then that means if you’re able to recognize the assumptions that you
to recognize the assumptions that you
to recognize the assumptions that you make and then you’re able to manage
make and then you’re able to manage
make and then you’re able to manage those assumptions that you can reshape
those assumptions that you can reshape
those assumptions that you can reshape your reality you see in life we tend to
your reality you see in life we tend to
your reality you see in life we tend to invest in assumptions that kind of were
invest in assumptions that kind of were
invest in assumptions that kind of were invest in data that fit our assumptions
invest in data that fit our assumptions
invest in data that fit our assumptions rather than in life to really verify or
rather than in life to really verify or
rather than in life to really verify or test those that pieces of data that and
test those that pieces of data that and
test those that pieces of data that and then help us make the right assumptions
then help us make the right assumptions
then help us make the right assumptions the ones that are going to lead us to
the ones that are going to lead us to
the ones that are going to lead us to the goal that we want to get now let me
the goal that we want to get now let me
the goal that we want to get now let me tell you something it’s kind of
tell you something it’s kind of
tell you something it’s kind of interesting we as human beings really
interesting we as human beings really
interesting we as human beings really don’t want to acknowledge that we make
don’t want to acknowledge that we make
don’t want to acknowledge that we make assumptions we have biases against
assumptions we have biases against
assumptions we have biases against making assumptions we think it’s a bad
making assumptions we think it’s a bad
making assumptions we think it’s a bad thing because we think it reflects on
thing because we think it reflects on
thing because we think it reflects on our character on our IQ on our
our character on our IQ on our
our character on our IQ on our personality on our talent let me give
personality on our talent let me give
personality on our talent let me give you an example of how that assumption
you an example of how that assumption
you an example of how that assumption should be challenged Orville Wright one
should be challenged Orville Wright one
should be challenged Orville Wright one of the brothers that founded modern
of the brothers that founded modern
of the brothers that founded modern aviation when it was suggested to him
aviation when it was suggested to him
aviation when it was suggested to him that he smooth out the runway that is at
that he smooth out the runway that is at
that he smooth out the runway that is at that time they took off in farm fields
that time they took off in farm fields
that time they took off in farm fields with rocks and dongs and holes someone
with rocks and dongs and holes someone
with rocks and dongs and holes someone said hey why don’t you smooth it out and
said hey why don’t you smooth it out and
said hey why don’t you smooth it out and Oliver Wright said the father of modern
Oliver Wright said the father of modern
Oliver Wright said the father of modern aviation said hey well if we have to
aviation said hey well if we have to
aviation said hey well if we have to smooth out our runway we do not deserve
smooth out our runway we do not deserve
smooth out our runway we do not deserve to fly
to fly
to fly how are you Dini the greatest escape
how are you Dini the greatest escape
how are you Dini the greatest escape artist in the world was driving in a new
artist in the world was driving in a new
artist in the world was driving in a new model car with his friend his friend was
model car with his friend his friend was
model car with his friend his friend was driving he gets out of the car his
driving he gets out of the car his
driving he gets out of the car his friend once they park Houdini doesn’t
friend once they park Houdini doesn’t
friend once they park Houdini doesn’t get out he’s stuck in the car the friend
get out he’s stuck in the car the friend
get out he’s stuck in the car the friend comes back says Houdini what come on get
comes back says Houdini what come on get
comes back says Houdini what come on get out and Houdini says I can get out of
out and Houdini says I can get out of
out and Houdini says I can get out of any box any jail cell but help me get
any box any jail cell but help me get
any box any jail cell but help me get out of this car because it was a new car
out of this car because it was a new car
out of this car because it was a new car and it had a new design on the door
and it had a new design on the door
and it had a new design on the door handle so a simple change in design
handle so a simple change in design
handle so a simple change in design stymie the greatest escape artist in the
stymie the greatest escape artist in the
stymie the greatest escape artist in the world so we have to first overcome the
world so we have to first overcome the
world so we have to first overcome the bias that we make assumptions we have to
bias that we make assumptions we have to
bias that we make assumptions we have to realize that assumptions are just part
realize that assumptions are just part
realize that assumptions are just part of our decision-making process and the
of our decision-making process and the
of our decision-making process and the reason we really don’t want to invest in
reason we really don’t want to invest in
reason we really don’t want to invest in that is because if we do invest in our
that is because if we do invest in our
that is because if we do invest in our assumptions and we acknowledge them then
assumptions and we acknowledge them then
assumptions and we acknowledge them then we have to admit that maybe we might not
we have to admit that maybe we might not
we have to admit that maybe we might not be right all the time maybe there are
be right all the time maybe there are
be right all the time maybe there are other ways of doing it so let me give
other ways of doing it so let me give
other ways of doing it so let me give you some ways to identify assumptions
you some ways to identify assumptions
you some ways to identify assumptions because this is really key remember an
because this is really key remember an
because this is really key remember an assumption is something you take for
assumption is something you take for
assumption is something you take for granted it is most often subconscious so
granted it is most often subconscious so
granted it is most often subconscious so you don’t even know that you’re making
you don’t even know that you’re making
you don’t even know that you’re making them so let me give you a couple of
them so let me give you a couple of
them so let me give you a couple of phrases that act as symptoms an
phrases that act as symptoms an
phrases that act as symptoms an assumption is in play the first one is I
assumption is in play the first one is I
assumption is in play the first one is I can’t we’ve all said that but I can’t is
can’t we’ve all said that but I can’t is
can’t we’ve all said that but I can’t is really an assumption
really an assumption
really an assumption I can’t assume that you are powerless
I can’t assume that you are powerless
I can’t assume that you are powerless but more often not you’re not powerless
but more often not you’re not powerless
but more often not you’re not powerless you maybe just don’t want to do it right
you maybe just don’t want to do it right
you maybe just don’t want to do it right maybe you’re afraid to try or maybe
maybe you’re afraid to try or maybe
maybe you’re afraid to try or maybe you’re afraid to fail
you’re afraid to fail
you’re afraid to fail another one is Oh doesn’t anybody
another one is Oh doesn’t anybody
another one is Oh doesn’t anybody doesn’t anyone get it am I the only one
doesn’t anyone get it am I the only one
doesn’t anyone get it am I the only one who gets that
who gets that
who gets that the assumption is that everybody thinks
the assumption is that everybody thinks
the assumption is that everybody thinks like you everybody thinks like you and
like you everybody thinks like you and
like you everybody thinks like you and that is a very dangerous assumption
that is a very dangerous assumption
that is a very dangerous assumption because it causes miscommunication among
because it causes miscommunication among
because it causes miscommunication among people it causes us often to invest in a
people it causes us often to invest in a
people it causes us often to invest in a problem that doesn’t really exist so
problem that doesn’t really exist so
problem that doesn’t really exist so instead of assuming that the world
instead of assuming that the world
instead of assuming that the world thinks like you try to see things
thinks like you try to see things
thinks like you try to see things through the eyes of the other individual
through the eyes of the other individual
through the eyes of the other individual that to me is the greatest gift in the
that to me is the greatest gift in the
that to me is the greatest gift in the world because what you’re doing by
world because what you’re doing by
world because what you’re doing by looking at the eyes through somebody
looking at the eyes through somebody
looking at the eyes through somebody else by challenging the assumption that
else by challenging the assumption that
else by challenging the assumption that the world doesn’t think like you what
the world doesn’t think like you what
the world doesn’t think like you what you’re doing is you’re collecting data
you’re doing is you’re collecting data
you’re doing is you’re collecting data and you’re collecting data that begins
and you’re collecting data that begins
and you’re collecting data that begins to verify your assumptions about an
to verify your assumptions about an
to verify your assumptions about an individual about a problem
individual about a problem
individual about a problem so therefore you then can make a greater
so therefore you then can make a greater
so therefore you then can make a greater chance of success in reaching your goals
chance of success in reaching your goals
chance of success in reaching your goals and eliminating misunderstanding between
and eliminating misunderstanding between
and eliminating misunderstanding between individuals so it’s very very important
individuals so it’s very very important
individuals so it’s very very important to be able to identify your a first
to be able to identify your a first
to be able to identify your a first acknowledge that you make assumptions
acknowledge that you make assumptions
acknowledge that you make assumptions and then identify that you make
and then identify that you make
and then identify that you make assumptions and the reason is is that
assumptions and the reason is is that
assumptions and the reason is is that this gives you an opportunity in life in
this gives you an opportunity in life in
this gives you an opportunity in life in life to turn around those assumptions
life to turn around those assumptions
life to turn around those assumptions which are holding you back the
which are holding you back the
which are holding you back the assumptions holding you back and you can
assumptions holding you back and you can
assumptions holding you back and you can leverage those assumptions by exploring
leverage those assumptions by exploring
leverage those assumptions by exploring them by challenging them by rejecting
them by challenging them by rejecting
them by challenging them by rejecting them and that opens up a door that
them and that opens up a door that
them and that opens up a door that creates a new opportunity to develop
creates a new opportunity to develop
creates a new opportunity to develop ideas
ideas
ideas and solutions that you never thought
and solutions that you never thought
and solutions that you never thought existed before and most importantly by
existed before and most importantly by
existed before and most importantly by identifying and then being you’re giving
identifying and then being you’re giving
identifying and then being you’re giving yourself a chance to explore the
yourself a chance to explore the
yourself a chance to explore the challenge to reject it allows you to
challenge to reject it allows you to
challenge to reject it allows you to drive out that exit and as you look back
drive out that exit and as you look back
drive out that exit and as you look back you see your old self still staring at
you see your old self still staring at
you see your old self still staring at the chain thank you
the chain thank you
the chain thank you [Applause]
”
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