This quote is widely misattributed to Ronald David Laing but appears in Daniel Goleman’s (1985) book Vital Lies, Simple Truths with the following introduction: “To put it in the form of one of R.D. Laing’s ‘knots’:” (p. 24). “Knots” being a reference to an earlier text by Laing (1972). So it is in the form of Laing but not by Laing.
The range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice. And because we fail to notice that we fail to notice, there is little we can do to change; until we notice how failing to notice shapes our thoughts and deeds.
David Gurteen's comments: This quotation quite nicely sums up the essence of a paradigm. To avoid this trap we need to develop ways of improving our awareness.
Quotations are extremely effective at capturing and concisely communicating thoughts and ideas. They can be inspirational but more importantly quotations can help us reveal and assess the assumptions, values and beliefs that underlie the ways in which we perceive the world.
I have compiled over 800 quotations and short excerpts on this website. It is an eclectic mix but most of them are inspirational or insightful in nature and relate to knowledge, learning or personal development in some form.
If you love quotations as much as I do then you may wish to register to have a quote e-mailed to you once a week or more frequently by clicking on the button below and completing the form.
The range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice. And because we fail to notice that we fail to notice, there is little we can do to change; until we notice how failing to notice shapes our thoughts and deeds.
If you are interested in Knowledge Management, the
Knowledge Café
or the role of conversation in organizational life then you my be interested in this online book I am writing on
Conversational Leadership
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