Natural Inclinations
“Natural Inclinations” may have provided a survival advantage in paleolithic times (at least they didn’t appear to interfere with survival of the species [or, come to think of it, maybe they DID!]), but they don’t serve us very well in the 21st Century.
Besides all the usual vices that came along undiminished, and, in some cases, were perfected during evolution, this bag of “natural inclinations” includes things like narcissism, lack of organization, lack of planning, 
shooting from the hip aggression, overt defensiveness, instant gratification, “negotiating” by brute force and threatening physical harm (“bullying”), eschewing innovation, accepting “first pass standards”, imposing self-will, etc.
But the Life Template we all aspire to own and inhabit has become a lot more “refined” than that. As civilization has matured and created more “free time” through innovation and the differentiation of labor, homo sapiens have raised their sights and looked toward increasingly distant horizons.
Abraham Maslow observed that, once basic needs are met, higher level needs emerge to be satisfied.
Unfortunately, many spend a lot of time and energy seeking virtual ways of satisfying both elementary and higher level needs without every getting their feet wet or hands dirty and never make it to the top of the pyramid.
In his book “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, Dale Carnegie enumerated 24 “Essential Competencies” and 30 “Human Relation Principles” that were found to be important in differentiating the 20th Century STAR from the Paleo predecessor.
Five Core Success Areas encompassing these competencies and principles were lined out:
- Self Confidence (Public speaking is used to help build self-confidence)
- Human Relations
- Communications
- Leadership
- Attitude Improvement
For the 21st Century, it’s gotten a bit more complicated. But some enduring First Principles still apply, and some of the most powerful are pretty simple:
- Delay Gratification
- Do well unto others
- Be Authentic
- Cultivate Alliances
- Be Accountable
- Exceed Expectations
- Continue Self Development at every opportunity
It’s not a difficult formula. It just has to be diligently followed, with the understanding that a lot Paleo stuff – like drinking fermented beverages, eating psychoactive mushrooms and gazing at stars, partying every night, maximizing fat, sugar and salt at every meal, binge-watching television (Paleos have adapted themselves well to indulging in 21st Century diversions!), Tweeting, Twittering, Web surfing, and texting while driving (that’s SO-o-o Neanderthal!) – has to be given up in the process. But most things to be “given up” aren’t worth a hill of beans in a final analysis.
So let’s work on letting the Paleo go! Nobody has a greater interest in your advancement toward a 21st Century STAR than you do. Stay true to YOU in taking on a rigorous course of self-development, knowing that the rewards of STARDOM far outweigh the challenges. I can’t wait to see how it’s going to turn out! Quartermaster
