Back to the Basics – The Key to Connection and Growth

Back to the Basics – The Key to Connection and Growth

Last week, I found myself at a happy hour, the kind of event where you run into people from the industry, friends, and sometimes, unexpected connections. While mingling, I stumbled into a conversation with a guy who had just won a cycling crit race—a highly strategic, fast-paced competition. As we chatted, I bombarded him with questions about his bike, components, and techniques, eager to learn from his expertise. It wasn’t until midway through the conversation that we realized we had played soccer together decades ago.

This unexpected reconnection sparked some powerful lessons that have been on my mind all week, and they all come down to one thing: getting back to the basics.


1. The Importance of Basics

It hit me that if I had followed simple social etiquette—like introducing myself or checking a name tag—I might have recognized my childhood friend sooner. It’s a small example, but think about how many opportunities we miss because we get too advanced or busy to focus on the fundamentals.

The same applies to every area of life: whether it’s your career, business, or personal growth, the basics matter. When something isn’t working as well as you want it to, ask yourself:

  • What were my original goals?
  • Why did I start this path?
  • What values got me here?

Revisiting these foundational questions can help you rebuild authentically.


2. Engage with People

As someone who is naturally introverted, I get that engaging with others isn’t always easy. But here’s the truth: you cannot grow or succeed alone. Every meaningful opportunity and lesson in life stems from human connection.

What I’ve learned about engaging:

  • Approach every conversation with curiosity.
  • Share, but also listen. Nobody enjoys someone who monopolizes the dialogue.
  • Let go of the need to appear like you have it all together—authenticity wins every time.

When I let go of trying to “know everything” and genuinely asked my old friend about his cycling success, I learned more in 10 minutes than I could have in hours of independent research. Engagement is about mutual value: sharing what you know and being open to learning from others.


3. Learn from the Experts

One of the quickest ways to level up in life is by learning from others. Too often, we fall into the trap of thinking we have to figure everything out on our own. But why reinvent the wheel when someone who has already “won the race” can give you pointers?

Here’s how to approach learning from others:

  • Be humble. It’s okay not to know everything.
  • Ask specific questions. Successful people are usually willing to share their knowledge, but they appreciate when you’re prepared.
  • Don’t waste time trying to “prove” yourself. Be genuine in your desire to grow.

In this case, my friend’s cycling insights gave me a head start on improving my own biking game. And here’s the best part: people who’ve genuinely earned their success are almost always willing to help.

This weekend, I encourage you to:

  1. Return to the Basics: Reconnect with the fundamentals in any area of your life that feels stuck.
  2. Engage More: Start meaningful conversations and listen more than you talk.
  3. Learn from Others: Seek out experts, ask questions, and soak in their wisdom.

You’d be surprised how much progress you can make just by focusing on these simple actions. Let’s make this week one of humility, curiosity, and growth.


Looking to inspire your team, organization, or event? Book Baylor to speak and check his availability today. Dive deeper into success strategies with Baylor's mindset-driven books, or tune into the powerful 10-minute daily Shark Theorypodcast for quick doses of motivation. Stay connected and sharpen your mindset every week by signing up for the SharkBites newsletter. Remember, Mindset Matters: Let's make yours unstoppable.

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