As we continue to navigate the road to success and happiness, it is important to remember that there are people around us who can help us along the way, and who we, in turn, can help as well. If we choose to follow the Proximity Principle, we will be able to find what we're looking for in life by getting close to those who know the way. In today’s episode, McKay explains the power of proximity and that if we follow the example of excellent and successful people, we too can get and keep our lives on course.
Today, McKay explains the Proximity Principle, beginning with an example of how Blaine Gibson used the perspective of the people on the ground to help find pieces of the disappeared Flight 370, a Boeing 777. He also explains why it’s crucial to understand from the perspective of those who know things best and how success leaves clues. He highlights the importance of reading biographies of excellent people as you get in proximity with their life during that time, and demonstrates how proximity works in psychology, breaking addictions, and parenting. He then discusses how to take advantage of proximity power and use it for your good. Finally, McKay stresses the value of reading and how it will get you in proximity to a different view. In essence, if you want to impact something, get close to those who know, seek out the experts, and be proximate to them. Soon, you will think like they think and do more of what they do, and you’ll be able to do the same for others.
The Finer Details of This Episode:
Blaine Gibson’s pursuit of the lost Boeing 777, Flight 370, and the ‘Gibson Effect’

The value of proximity and understanding the issue from the perspective of those who know things best

Getting in proximity with excellent people through reading their biographies

How proximity drives the work of Alcoholics Anonymous

Parallels between proximity effect and recording audio

The use of the proximity principle in psychology

Proximity in parenting and raising kids—McKay’s personal experience

How to take advantage of proximity power and turn it to our good

How reading equals proximity to the author

McKay’s research study to determine what enabled people to change

The Matthew Effect

The fruits of being coachable



Quotes:
“There is power in getting on the ground level. Proximity is power. When we understand the issue from the perspective of those who know things best, when we model their way of doing things, we eliminate the mystery of how to succeed.”
“Tony Robbins says, ‘Long ago, I realized that success leaves clues and that people who produce outstanding results do specific things to create those results. I believed that if I precisely duplicated the actions of others, I could reproduce the same quality of results that they had.’ This is an extremely powerful principle.”
“Reading biographies is different than other books. You get to see things from another’s point of view. And if you’re reading the right biography, you get close, proximate, and see things from the point of view of a person who has lived in excellent ways. You get to put their view on your window.”
“When we come closer or proximate to people we admire or who have done what we are trying to do, several things happen to us: sometimes it feels like a reproach because we are humbled when we see how far we must progress. But most often, we feel inspired that we can do better, perhaps even that our time is forthcoming.”
“Alcoholics Anonymous was not successful due to its training content or processes. These were only mild factors in the person’s ability to find lasting change. However, the chief reason the program worked was its ability to provide free, long-term, easy proximity and exposure to common therapeutic elements such as companionship, modeling of behavior, faith in a higher power, and so forth.”
“If you’re leading a team and wanting to make better progress, get proximate with those who are...