I came across a famous story about John Boyd while reading Ego is the Enemy written by Ryan Holiday. Boyd was a highly accomplished fighter pilot, and military strategist in the United States Air Force, widely considered one of the most influential military theorists of the 20th century. He is particularly well-known for his innovative development of the OODA loop concept, which stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act. This model has been widely adopted across different fields, including the military, business, and sports.
According to the story, Boyd was approached by a young officer who was frustrated with his lack of promotion and asked for advice. Boyd said there will be a fork in the path of life you’re traveling and you’ll have to make a decision on which path to take. Boyd then went on to explain that those who focus on being somebody, such as seeking power, prestige, and promotions, often end up compromising their values and sacrificing their principles to achieve those goals.
On the other hand, those who focus on doing something, such as making a positive impact on the world or pursuing a noble cause, often end up achieving their goals. There is no need for compromises; one can be true to oneself and to others. It is more like developing a personal identity, purpose, or meaning in life.
Boyd reportedly responded by saying, “To be somebody or to do something. In life, there is often a roll call. That’s when you will have to make a decision. To be or to do? Which way will you go?”
Ryan beautifully emphasized the role of ego in the to-do part. The ego can cause us to prioritize goals and activities that do not align with our core values and well-being, simply because they may boost our self-esteem or social status. The ego crosses out what really matters to us and replaces it with what doesn’t.
Maybe it was easy to make a decision before, not knowing what everyone was up to. We want to accomplish things and achieve our goals, on one end whereas, on the other, we want to live a meaningful life and be true to ourselves. This is the classic dilemma of “to do or not to do.”
Finding a balance between ‘to do’ and ‘to be’ is a difficult process that requires conscious effort and self-reflection. It starts with identifying our core values, such as honesty, personal growth or compassion and then prioritizing activities and goals that align with those values. However, the truth is that these two aspects of life are not mutually exclusive, and it might take some time to find out which one you belong in.
Cheers!
PS: I don’t know either, figuring out!
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