What is a Paradigm?
The word paradigm has been so overused that many people don’t understand its full meaning. In just the past week I’ve been on several different training calls and this word paradigm has come up and the way it was used and explained was not accurate. In this post, I’m going to reveal to you my understanding of this word paradigm in order to give you a simple way of understanding it.
First off let’s look at how Webster’s dictionary defines paradigm.
Paradigm:
: a model or pattern for something that may be copied : a theory or a group of ideas about how something should be done, made or thought about Dictionay.com defines paradigm as:Paradigm:
1. a set of forms all of which contain a particular element, especially the set of all inflected forms based on a single stem or theme. 2. an example serving as a model; pattern. 3. a. framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are commonly accepted by members of a scientific community. b. such a cognitive framework shared by members of any discipline or group. The best definition I heard for the word Paradigm comes from my mentor Bob Proctor. He says that a paradigm is nothing more than a multitude of habits. It’s a collection of beliefs that are held by a group of people. In his book “It’s Not About the Money” he talks about paradigm’s, let me share what he says: “A paradigm is a collection of beliefs that are held by a group of people. It’s not just one belief held by one person. These beliefs are shared, passed on and believed by generations. Take the paradigm that you need to have a traditional job. Included in this paradigm are these ideas:-
You must have a job to be a contributing member of society.
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Those who put in many hours at a job are more committed and deserving.
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The better your education, the better your job.
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You must compete with your coworkers and be the best to move ahead.