Activity:Go to seedsinnovation.com/davidgoggins and watch the video about former Navy Seal and ultra-Marathon runner, David Goggins. ###

Key Takeaways:

1. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes int strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
2. Hebrews 12: 1-2 says: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneers and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” ###
   

Personal Reflection:

1. Ask yourself: What is my why? 
2. Is it powerful enough to keep me persevering? 
3. Have I maintained my why or has it weakened? ###

Group Discussion:

1. Is our team comfortable moving into spaces of chaos and divergence so that we can innovate? If not, how might we gain comfort in that ambiguity space which may not be our default?
2. Which of the above 8 reasons to persevere does our team struggle with and how might we overcome it? 
3. How does your team deal with failure?
4. Do you feel like you are allowed to fail?
5. Reflect on past failure that led to new and useful insights. What were they and how did they affect future decisions? ###
   

Supplemental Notes:

1. Define the real problem. It’s easy to assume what the problem might be. However, until we’ve gained deep insights from our end-users, understanding their values and beliefs today, we can’t actually identify the real problem. 
2. Cycle through the innovation process. This is not easy. The front side of innovation can feel like a breeze. Yet, most innovation projects fail on the back end where execution skills and tools are necessary to operationalize innovation. 
3. Operate outside of your default preference. Each of us has a default way in which we work. Yet, to innovate on a team, we need to become incredibly comfortable suspending our preferences. 
4. Work with your team who views and paces differently than you. Some of us are introverts, others are extroverts. Some like to work alone, others in teams. And, some enjoy imagining the possibilities and thinking divergently, while others default to converging on a single perceived solution. A few members may plot slowly, considering every step and others consider steps only as they are running. We must be comfortable with operating in spaces of ambiguity and uncertainty so we can generatively work together on our team to create value-added solutions. 
5. Test to fail. Testing is the 5th stage in Design Thinking. We don’t test to prove we are right or show off our new idea. Rather, we test to identify weak points, gain end-user feedback, and relaunch in a way that our prototype better represents the needs, views, beliefs, and values of those we serve. However, if you view failure as a personal defeat or a reflection of you from other’s perspective, we miss the point all together. See testing to fail as a step in the design process, not a personal defeat. 
6. Overcome obstacles and obstructionists. We often quit or become dismissive when we receive pushback. Innovation requires perseverance because you will get pushback and hit obstacles.
7. Not lose the passion behind the vision. Innovation is difficult and can uncover some very unhealthy personal or team characteristics and behaviors. Those challenges are emotional and have a tendency to drain our passion that we once had. Innovation requires perseverance to keep the Why ever before you.
8. Produce value-added solutions. It’s easy to presume we’ve innovated because we’ve created a new system, process or product. However, if it does not create value for those you serve, and your organization, we’ve missed the mark all together. Push through the temptation to simply create something new and stretch further to ensure it actually reflects the deep needs of your end-users and customers, while adding benefit to your organization as well. ###