Are You More Like a Blackbird or a Duck?

What approach do you take in pursuing your goals and ambitions? 

This is an important question. Your habitual ways of handling life and work determine the sort of friction points you can expect in executing a quantum leap goal. 

People are made different. From one person to the next, we vary greatly in our need for structure, order, and predictability. You need to consider whether your personal approach is more like a blackbird or a duck. 

Ducks

Ducks prefer to “fly in formation.” Their speed is regulated and steady…on a consistent plane…in a set direction. 

Duck people like rules, procedures, and specific guidelines to follow. They’re systematic, orderly, planful creatures. Give them a map, a schedule, a plan—structure is comforting to them, disorder and vagueness are frustrating. They like routine, a step-by-step approach, and closure. The fuzzier the situation—the more they must deal with ambiguity and uncertainty—the more bothersome it becomes. 

Blackbirds

Blackbirds such as grackles, airborne as a group, follow a much looser, freestyle flight plan. They swoop, dive, rapidly change directions, and scatter, frequently disrupting their pattern. 

People in this category dislike a tightly disciplined, ducks-in-a-row routine. They want elbow room and flexibility, the freedom to maneuver and alter their approach. Blackbird folks have an eye for shortcuts and expedient moves. They’re quite comfortable feeling their way along, improvising, and letting their plan unfold. They have a greater tolerance for ambiguity, uncertainty, and changes in their game plan. 

Self-Critique

So, would you classify yourself as a duck or a blackbird? Which way do you lean? Pick the dot on the scale below that you believe fits you best:

We’re not being judgmental here. People in either category can be extremely successful. You just need to know how the quantum leap process fits your personality. 

The Duck’s Challenge

If you’re a duck, you like a programmatic approach, and your natural habits will create friction with some of the important quantum leap principles.

• You like to be organized and have a plan. But overplanning often becomes a problem, too much “getting ready” at the expense of “getting going.” It’s a way to resist doing the real work. Besides, there are too many unknowns for in-depth planning to be viable. 
• You prioritize certainty and accuracy, which produces a slow, measured pace. But quantum leaps call for a fast-break offense and full-court press, for rapid pursuit that moves you relentlessly closer to your goal. Mistakes, failure, redos, and adjustments are a natural part of the process.
• You like stability and predictability, which influences you to stick with your status quo approach. But that conflicts with the “try differently” principle in pursuing quantum leaps.
• Your bias for predictability and a procedural way of working makes you more risk-averse just when you need to venture boldly into new, uncharted territory.

The Blackbird’s Challenge

If you’re a blackbird, you’re comfortable with the ambiguous, exploratory aspect of quantum leaps. That works in your favor. But don’t let that comfort fool you into thinking discipline doesn’t matter. The rules are few, but bending them causes friction.

• You prefer a less buttoned-down style than the ducks. Just be sure you stay focused on your ambitious aiming point. Set short-term or intermediate-range objectives that keep you on course. 
• You might be comfortable with sketchy planning or loose execution, but other people may feel like you’re flying by the seat of your pants. If they’re uneasy, they may withhold their support. 
• You may like to wing it and follow your instincts, but don’t undermine your execution with impulsive, distracting shifts in your pursuit. Be diligent in tracking results and measuring your progress.
• You’re good at experimenting and improvising in pursuing your goal. You’re free to do that. But don’t cut corners on any of the core elements in the quantum leap process.

The Common Ground

The You² Method spells out the five essential components for making a quantum leap: Pick an Ambitious Aiming Point…Do the Necessary Mindwork…Practice Relentless Pursuit…Track Progress & Measure Results…Trust in the Unseen Forces.

In the overall scheme of things, it won’t matter whether you’re a duck, blackbird, or some hybrid. The quantum leap doesn’t care about your personality. It only cares about your commitment to the process.