Be Your Own “Big Kahuna” in 2006

Longevity in a company or profession isn’t enough to make you a guru. You might know people like this. They’ve been with the company forever. Unfortunately, if they are not changing, adapting, learning, and growing, they are on a career treadmill. Quality of time means more than quantity of time.

To be competitive and successful in your career, you’ve got to grow with time. Use the many books, coaches, courses and resources to become your own big Kahuna in 2006. ‘Kahuna’ is derived from the Hawaiian title for a shaman and literally means expert, wizard or guru. The word ‘guru’ as part of the Kahuna definition means revered teacher or mentor and recognized leader. Everyone can benefit from having a great coach as it is important to have someone to give you honest candid insight, and offer another point of view to help you. However, you should always be your own big Kahuna. Find a coach or mentor whose teachings you respect, but never let anyone become your guru. It robs you of control. Take counsel and coaching from others, but never forget the lesson of personal responsibility.

You can achieve amazing things when you flood your mind with new information. Read everything you can, talk to people who have done what you want to do, explore all avenues. Listen to others and remain open to all ideas, but ultimately be your own big Kahuna and make your own decisions. You can take advice from others, however, that will never take away your responsibility. Your doctor is not responsible for your health, your accountant is not responsible for your taxes, and your mechanic is not responsible for the upkeep of your car. They are valued parts of your team, but they offer only guidance and counsel. The responsibility is always yours.

The path to becoming your own big Kahuna begins with ignorance! Embrace your inner ignorance. You may have never heard of anyone embracing ignorance before, but true enlightenment is actually building your positive ignorance. Ignorance is darkness found in what you do not know. Enlightenment is the path of awakening the light to remove the darkness of ignorance.

One of the greatest assets you possess is curiosity. Channel it, challenge it, and do not be held back by ignorance. Learn to embrace it and use it as a tool. The secret to becoming your own big Kahuna is learning to master the art of ignorance. When you are fully committed to begin the journey of enlightenment, you will become far more ignorant than before you began your quest, however, before you can truly become smart, you must realize, accept and embrace how much you do not know.

Henry David Thoreau observed, "To know that we know what we know, and that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge." All of us are born into the world ignorant and without knowledge. Whether you chose to remain ignorant or take action to apply knowledge to your advantage is your choice. Knowledge applied to your life gives you power over your life and leverage to affect your own future.

Each choice culminates over time into your destiny. The real question is whether you want to end up where fate takes you or take control to choose your own destiny and become your own big Kahuna in 2006.