In the fast-paced world of business, it’s easy to feel like you’re in a rut.
When you have the same routines, jobs, and meetings over and over again, it can get boring.
But what if I told you that a philosopher from the 1800s could help you change in your personal and work life?
Intrigued? Let’s dive in.
Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher who is known for his deep and sometimes controversial ideas, came up with a model for personal change that can be surprising useful in our work lives.
The Camel, the Lion, and the Child are the three parts of Nietzsche’s plan.
Each step is a different part of a person’s growth and coming to know themselves.
The Camel: Taking on the Weight
The first step, “Camel,” is all about taking on responsibilities and carrying your own weight.
In the business world, this is like when we first start our jobs. We want to learn, are willing to do any job, and are ready to show what we can do.
We follow the rules, do what is asked of us, and try to fit in with the mindset of the company.
Think about Sarah. She just graduated from college and got her first job at a well-known tech company.
She wanted to learn, was willing to work late, and did everything that was given to her. She was a camel, determined and strong enough to carry the weight of her duties.
The Lion: Fighting for Freedom
The second step, the Lion, is about standing up for yourself and rebelling.
It’s about being brave enough to question the way things are and make your own path.
During this stage of our careers, we might question a choice that doesn’t feel right, come up with a new idea, or take on a leadership role.
Take John, a boss in the middle of his career at a large company.
He saw that his team wasn’t working as well as it could, so he suggested a new way to handle projects. Even though they didn’t want to try the new method at first, he kept trying and showed them how good it was.
John was acting like a lion by standing up for himself and questioning the way things were.
The Child: Creating New Values
The last step, “Child,” is about making things and looking to the future.
It’s about being in charge of your own life and making up new ideals.
In the business world, this could mean leading a team, shaping the culture of the company, or coming up with a new way to do business.
Take the case of Lisa, a top manager at a marketing company.
She saw that the market didn’t have enough sustainable marketing options, so she led her company to start a new division to fill this need.
Lisa was in the Child stage, where she was making up her own rules and forming her own future.
How to Get Through Your Change
It’s important to remember that these steps don’t go in a straight line.
You might switch back and forth between them, which is fine.
The important thing is to know where you are now and where you want to be. Nietzsche’s model is a tool that can help us figure out how to change in our personal and work lives.
Remember that each stage of your life, whether you are a Camel, a Lion, or a Child, is part of your trip.
Accept it, figure out what you can from it, and keep going. Cheers to how you’ve changed!
Take this Message Home
In the business world, it’s easy to get stuck in the daily grind.
But if we understand Nietzsche’s three steps of transformation and use them, we can break out of the routine and reach our full potential.
So, whether you’re just starting out or have been working for a long time, remember that you can change. You have the ability to get better.
And you have the power to decide what will happen to you.