041: The Independence Continuum

By: Ana Melikian | Posted in: Podcast Episodes | Sunday, Jul 5, 2015 - 9:34am

I recorded this MINDSET ZONE episode, on the Fourth of July, Independence Day, in the US.

We commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. This was when the American colonies declared themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, no longer part of the British Empire.

Independence can be seen as self-government, self-determination, self-sufficiency, autonomy, and freedom.

These are certainly inspiring values to live for.

For my father, who passed away 6 years ago, independence was one of his core values. He raised me and always reminded me about the value of being independent.

I’m grateful for this. Without doubt, being independent has been one guidepost I hold dear.

Yet, I have to admit that when I hold this value above everything else, I limit my possibilities.

Why?

Because we can achieve much more through team work, than we can only by ourselves.

Even in competitive individual sports such as running, swimming, tennis, the peak performers don’t do it alone, they have a team to support them.

Steven R. Covey says it best, in his well-known book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:

“On the maturity continuum dependence is the paradigm of you—you take care of me; you come through for me; you didn’t come through; I blame you for the results.

Independence is the paradigm of I—I can do it; I am responsible; I am self-reliant; I can choose.

Interdependence is the paradigm of we—we can do it; we can cooperate; we can combine our talents and abilities and create something greater together.

Dependent people need others to get what they want.

Independent people can get what they want through their own effort.

Interdependent people combine their own efforts with the efforts of others to achieve their greatest success.”

Where do you place yourself on this continuum scale?

After my thirties, and now in forties, I'm finally moving towards interdependence with my family and as an entrepreneur. This allows me to enjoy everyday life more and achieve better results.

I thrive through Interdependence 🙂

Love to read your comments.