A Generative Adventure

Recently, I’ve been reading the book Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff. Let’s not discuss how long I’ve been reading this book. Please. Because I’ve been reading snippets for a while. But I also think the book would be okay with that. Tiny bites, tiny experiments, progress, even failure, but still moving forward. Not necessarily in big steps, but more likely, tiny ones.

Anyway, I’ve been reading about generativity, which is defined as an unconscious desire to guide and assist the next generation, often expressed through parenting, teaching, or community involvement, with a focus on fostering the well-being of others.

As she outlines in the book, “generativity is found in smaller everyday interactions and contributions—in the mentorship offered to a colleague, the knowledge shared in a community, or the support given to a local initiative.”

The author contrasts generativity with what we often focus on: legacy. How our attempt to have a worthy dash, something between the birth number and end number of our life, hinders us from making a difference.

We often look for the big impact, and when we don’t see it, we may consider ourselves to be failing. A generative worldview says that the small impact I make each day, the positive way I encourage a fellow employee, or the other small acts I do are actually more helpful in life.

The author wants us to focus on a generative life. It is a great way to learn new skills, gain new knowledge, and build better relationships.

I’ve often thought about making that big impact. Doing something big that makes a difference. In a former life as a pastor, I often hoped to see large numbers that would show my success. I’ve also thought professionally that maybe success would be measured by something like my alma mater calling me up and asking me to come back and present to the next generation of students. 

I never thought about a statue, but you get the idea. It is that type of thinking that can dominate how we see our success and our future. It is that type of impact that we believe we must have.

When it comes to professional development, I think I will focus on an generative adventure.

The idea behind it allows us to avoid the notion that we are taking steps, climbing a ladder, or looking for a certain threshold of success to call ourselves successful. Instead, it says that each day can be successful when we take the time to encourage or pour our lives into others. Those exchanges, as small as they may be, are actually the place where our true success derives from.

The journey is the reward, not the accomplishments we dream of at the end.

Hopefully, when it comes to tourism and marketing, I can give these things away, encourage each day, and allow success to be the journey, not the destination.

May this remind you, as it has reminded me: be generative.