I wrote a few words on social media last Sunday after my morning run. I was saddened to hear of the death of Sean Connery the day before and thought it would be an idea to acknowledge his role, via the founding of the Scottish International Education Trust, in my fledgling career. As I write these reflections five days later the post has just passed 1 million views on LinkedIn. I’m thrilled that so many people found the story inspiring and this unexpected reaction to it has made me think more deeply in a few areas this week.
On Being Grateful
In difficult times, as we all experience the shocks of a post-pandemic world, we might just find solace in the small things that are going well. In much of my work these past several months in the areas of resilience we have highlighted the importance of savouring the small moments of joy each day and being grateful, which studies show makes a huge difference to our mental health. William James, the renowned psychologist said over 100 years ago that “What you attend to in this moment becomes your reality.” Stay aware of the less positive news that surrounds us all these days by all means, but perhaps try to pay more attention to the good in our midst too.
On Legacy
Many of the comments on the post this week have regarded legacy and paying it forward. Almost half a century after Mr. Connery’s decision the Scottish International Education Trust still provides opportunities for many young Scottish men and women. Yet we all have an opportunity to leave our own legacy each day, through our actions and words. I’ve been very fortunate to talk to close to 30,000 people face-to-face in the past 15 years, mostly in a leadership capacity regarding their health, wellbeing and lifestyle choices. I believe I’ve made a positive impact and my experience this week has made me even more determined to go further and multiply that impact as much as possible.
On Opening Doors
I believe part of Connery’s motivation was related to his own modest upbringing and his desire to raise others up who just needed a chance. I had a wonderful childhood in a fairly typical West of Scotland working class home. Yet I grew up just as the predominant industrial heritage of my home town was crumbling, sending many families into poverty. Many people lost purpose, hope, and their lives. I was fortunate to have others open doors for me and am more attuned now to the importance of social mobility in an era of increasing inequality. If you’ve been fortunate enough to climb a few rungs of the ladder where might you let it down so others can climb up?
On the Good and Bad of Big Tech
Of course, it is not the first post to hit 1 million by any means. I’m sure that many will do so each day, with a fair percentage of them, frankly, nonsense. It brought home however, on a more personal level, the immense power of Big Tech. Many thousands of people came across my story and my name for the first time. Perhaps they forgot it the very next instant, but the potential reach for all of us these days is indeed incredible. Yet we have a responsibility to use this power in the right way. We need only look at the current US elections to see how social media can be used in the wrong way. Extremism, conspiracy theories and fake news fills the void where education has been sorely missed. The experience this week was also addictive. I talk in my programs of the dangers of dopamine and social media addiction but with every refresh of my feed bringing hundreds of new profile views, likes and comments from the four corners of the world it was hard to let go. I’m glad to be going on my weekly 24-hour digital detox this evening. I certainly need it.
As the pandemic tightens its grip worldwide in a second wave we may be feeling more isolated and disconnected from one other than ever before. It’s times like these when we may just realise how important we are to each other, the ripples we cause by our actions, and how we’re actually more tightly connected than ever. I have been blessed with my education and will pay more attention to the ripples I cause from now on.