The Art of Possibility

1. It's All Invented: Reshape Your Reality

The roots of this phenomenon go much deeper than just attitude or personality.

Perception shapes reality. Our brains construct our experiences based on limited sensory input and preexisting mental frameworks. This means that much of what we perceive as "reality" is actually an invention of our minds. By recognizing this, we can actively choose more empowering perspectives.

Reframe challenges as opportunities. Instead of seeing obstacles, look for possibilities. For example, when faced with a problem, ask yourself:

• What assumption am I making that I'm not aware I'm making?
• What might I now invent that I haven't yet invented?
• What is the opportunity here?

By consciously reshaping our mental frameworks, we can transform seemingly fixed situations into realms of new potential and creative solutions.

2. Step into a Universe of Possibility

In the measurement world, you set a goal and strive for it. In the universe of possibility, you set the context and let life unfold.

Shift from scarcity to abundance. The "measurement world" is governed by limits, competition, and fear. The "universe of possibility" is characterized by potential, collaboration, and opportunity. By consciously choosing to operate from this expansive mindset, we open ourselves to new horizons.

Embrace uncertainty and potential. Instead of trying to control outcomes:

• Focus on creating conducive environments for growth
• Remain open to unexpected opportunities
• Celebrate the journey rather than fixating on end goals

This approach fosters creativity, resilience, and a sense of wonder in the face of life's inherent unpredictability.

3. Give an A: Unleash Potential in Others

An A can be given to anyone in any walk of life—to a waitress, to your employer, to your mother-in-law, to the members of the opposite team, and to the other drivers in traffic.

Assume the best in people. When we expect greatness from others, we create an environment where they're more likely to rise to that expectation. This isn't about lowering standards, but about providing a supportive context for growth and excellence.

**Practice:

• Give an "A" at the beginning, not as a reward
• Look for people's potential, not their limitations
• Provide specific, genuine appreciation regularly

By consistently seeing and acknowledging the best in others, we foster trust, motivation, and often unlock hidden capabilities.

4. Be a Contribution: Shift from Success to Significance

Unlike success and failure, contribution has no other side. It is not arrived at by comparison.

Redefine your purpose. Instead of asking "How can I succeed?" ask "How can I contribute?" This shift moves us from a self-centered, competitive mindset to one focused on creating value for others and the world.

Practice contribution daily:

• Each morning, ask: "How will I be a contribution today?"
• Notice and appreciate ways you already contribute
• Look for opportunities to make a positive difference, no matter how small

This mindset fosters a sense of meaning, connection, and fulfillment that transcends traditional notions of success and failure.

5. Lead from Any Chair: Empower Everyone to Make a Difference

The conductor of an orchestra doesn't make a sound. His power derives from his ability to make other people powerful.

Leadership is influence, not position. True leadership is about empowering others to contribute their best, regardless of formal titles or roles. Everyone has the potential to lead in their own sphere of influence.

Cultivate leadership at all levels:

• Encourage initiative and ownership
• Create opportunities for diverse voices to be heard
• Recognize and amplify others' contributions
• Foster an environment of mutual respect and collaboration

By distributing leadership throughout an organization or community, we tap into collective intelligence and create more resilient, adaptive systems.

6. Rule Number 6: Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously

There aren't any.

Lighten up. Taking ourselves too seriously creates unnecessary stress and limits our ability to connect with others. Rule Number 6 reminds us to maintain perspective and not get caught up in our own self-importance.

Practice letting go:

• Use humor to diffuse tense situations
• Acknowledge your mistakes with grace
• Celebrate imperfections as part of being human
• Find the absurdity in challenging moments

By embracing a lighter approach, we become more resilient, creative, and open to possibilities.

7. Be Present to the Way Things Are

Being present to the way things are is not the same as accepting things as they are in the resigned way of the cow.

Embrace reality without resistance. Being present means acknowledging what is, without judgment or immediate attempts to change it. This creates a foundation for effective action.

Practice presence:

• Observe your thoughts and feelings without attaching to them
• Notice physical sensations and your environment
• Accept the current moment as it is, even if you desire change
• Ask: "What is here now?" and "What else is here now?"

By fully engaging with reality as it is, we gain clarity and access to more creative responses to challenges.

8. Give Way to Passion: Tap into Life's Energy

Nature is asking you to feel watery, rock heavy, to reach out with pine branch and leaf. It is calling you to feel the skimming of the water. Participate!

Connect with life's vitality. Passion isn't just about intense emotion; it's about tapping into the fundamental energy that animates all of existence. By opening ourselves to this force, we access greater creativity, motivation, and joy.

Cultivate passionate engagement:

• Immerse yourself fully in experiences
• Notice and appreciate beauty in your surroundings
• Find activities that make you lose track of time
• Connect your work to a larger sense of purpose

By aligning with life's inherent passion, we infuse our actions with greater meaning and impact.

9. Light a Spark: The Art of Enrollment

Enrollment is the art and practice of generating a spark of possibility for others to share.

Inspire others to join your vision. Enrollment is about connecting people to possibilities in a way that ignites their own passion and commitment. It's not manipulation, but an invitation to shared enthusiasm.

Practice enrollment:

• Clearly articulate inspiring possibilities
• Listen for others' desires and aspirations
• Find common ground between your vision and their interests
• Demonstrate your own genuine excitement and commitment

Effective enrollment creates a ripple effect, spreading possibility and positive change far beyond your immediate sphere.

10. Be the Board: Take Radical Responsibility

Gracing yourself with responsibility for everything that happens in your life leaves your spirit whole, and leaves you free to choose again.

Claim ownership of your experience. Instead of blaming external circumstances or other people, take responsibility for how you respond to and interpret events. This empowers you to create change rather than feeling like a victim.

Practice radical responsibility:

• Ask: "How did I contribute to this situation?"
• Look for opportunities to learn and grow from challenges
• Focus on what you can control or influence
• Reframe setbacks as feedback rather than failure

By "being the board" on which life's game is played, we reclaim our power to shape our experience and outcomes.

11. Create Frameworks for Possibility

A vision becomes a framework for possibility when it meets certain criteria that distinguish it from the objectives of the downward spiral.

Craft inspiring visions. Effective visions go beyond traditional goal-setting to create a context for ongoing creativity and growth. They should articulate fundamental human desires and inspire collective action.

Elements of powerful visions:

• Express a possibility, not just an objective
• Resonate with universal human aspirations
• Avoid moral judgments or comparisons
• Use timeless, open-ended language
• Invite diverse expressions and interpretations

By creating compelling frameworks for possibility, we align efforts and unleash collective potential toward shared aspirations.

12. Tell the WE Story: Unite Through Shared Narratives

The WE story defines a human being in a specific way: It says we are our central selves seeking to contribute, naturally engaged, forever in a dance with each other.

Emphasize connection over division. The "WE story" focuses on our shared humanity and interdependence, transcending artificial boundaries of "us vs. them." This perspective fosters collaboration, empathy, and collective problem-solving.

Cultivate a WE perspective:

• Look for common ground in conflicts
• Celebrate diversity as a strength
• Frame challenges in terms of shared interests
• Ask: "What's best for all of us?"

By consistently telling the WE story, we create a more inclusive, compassionate, and effective approach to leadership and social change.

Last updated: August 9, 2024