NICK WRIGHT
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Possibility

29/1/2020

28 Comments

 
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You are what you eat. That’s what I read on social media anyway, particularly during vegan January (in the UK). We could propose alternatives: You are what you think; or, You become what you do. There’s an idea in psychology that we don’t really know who we are until we expose ourselves to different situations, or find ourselves in them, then observe what we think, feel and do. We may discover, with surprise, that we are quite different to how we had imagined ourselves to be.

Another idea is to think of an idea, an approach, and then act on it as if it were true. It’s as if I’m choosing in advance who I will be, how I will behave, how I will respond. So, for instance, if I’m facing a presentation where I lack confidence, I can stand up straight, tell myself I feel incredibly confident, create an image in my mind of being incredibly confident, then act that out, like a role play, until it becomes real and normal for me. It’s about breaking default patterns and creating new ones.

I’m reminded here of a biblical principle: ‘Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’ I’m limited or changed by what I believe and act on, by faith, as possible – in this case, with God. Richard Bach in his philosophical allegory, Illusions: ‘Argue for your limitations, and they are yours.’ Henry Ford: ‘Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.’ This isn’t positive psychology on steroids. It’s an acknowledgement of the profound relationship between thinking, feeling, experiencing possibility - and hope.

A goal of leadership, OD, coaching and training is to tap into the power of imagination, to create and release potential by paying attention to what people think, believe, hypothesise, assume, notice (and not-notice), the deeply personal and cultural narratives they tell themselves and each other – and to experiment with divergence, disruption, dissonance and change.  You can because you think you can: When have you adopted this idea? How did you do it? What difference did it make?

Are you ready to challenge and stretch your thinking and practice, to open up and create fresh possibilities and opportunities? Get in touch! info@nick-wright.com
28 Comments
Michael Robson
29/1/2020 04:38:00 pm

What options do I have? Do I even notice them?  Do I want to fight for them? Or am I glad that some options are apparently not feasible?
I know many possibilities that are within me, but do I want to or can I use them? A lot of things suddenly come up to me with which I would not have dealt independently. Am I taking the opportunity that is being offered to me? Or do I want to avoid it? Does it challenge me or does it paralyze me? With God's help and trust in him, I can also master great challenges and new opportunities.

Reply
Nick Wright
31/1/2020 02:19:35 pm

Hi Michael and thank you for sharing such insightful reflections. I think the question, 'Am I glad that some options are not feasible?' is particularly profound. We sometimes shrink back from fulfilling our true potential because we are fearful of what that may call for in practice. There can be a degree of comfort in the status quo, staying with what we know; whereas a leap of faith into as-yet possibility can feel scary and risky.

Reply
Michael Robson
31/1/2020 05:50:21 pm

Thanks for your answer, Nick!
Often I decide on a possibility and do not yet know what I will experience through it. But this decision already comes from God! And then his help too!

Nick Wright
31/1/2020 06:00:30 pm

Hi Michael. Kierkegaard would approve! https://www.google.com/amp/s/betterlifecoachingblog.com/2011/10/21/the-parable-of-the-ducks-a-story-about-maximising-our-potential/amp/

Tara Parker link
29/1/2020 10:04:02 pm

Nick,

Wonderful post! I have said that the most important relationship one can have is the relationship with the self. Without that connection all other connections may be lacking as it is hard to fully understand what one can invest into a relationship if they are not aware of themselves.

Inspires me.

Tara

Reply
Nick Wright
31/1/2020 02:31:13 pm

Thanks for your encouraging feedback, Tara! :) The most important relationship in my own life is my relationship with God. It can sound a bit trite to say that, but it's this relationship that fundamentally defines, shapes and makes sense of all other relationships for me, including with myself. You may find this related piece interesting: http://www.nick-wright.com/sense-of-destiny.html Let me know what you think?

Reply
Deborah Meyers
30/1/2020 06:52:40 am

Love this. Great reminder of the power of our beliefs.

Reply
Nick Wright
31/1/2020 02:31:38 pm

Thanks Deborah!

Reply
Barbara A. Mellor
30/1/2020 06:54:39 am

Possibility is a present we give ourselves to our best other selves who transform us in a nanosecond ...thank you.

Reply
Nick Wright
31/1/2020 02:34:53 pm

Thanks Barbara. I love the idea of possibility as a gift we give to ourselves...and to others...with its potential for transformation.

Reply
Gwen Griffith
30/1/2020 06:56:40 am

So good.

I have been to largest proponent of this “Hope-imagination” connection. It’s so connected to desire that all change hast to begin there.

Thank you for how you manage to get abstract things into formal paragraphs 😁

You’re the best!

Reply
Nick Wright
31/1/2020 02:38:22 pm

Thanks for such kind feedback, Gwen. :) On hope-imagination, you may find this short related piece interesting? http://www.nick-wright.com/blog/dream

Reply
Gwen Griffith
31/1/2020 04:25:36 pm

Oh.my. Gosh!!!! See? You even knew the “name” of “Appreciative Inquiry” - a term I easily understand but never heard of. This is what I mean - you really help me name stuff!!

What a great 4 paragraphs! Thank you.

Nick Wright
31/1/2020 04:27:39 pm

Thanks Gwen. You made me smile. :) On the theme of Appreciative Inquiry, you may find this short piece interesting too? http://www.nick-wright.com/blog/an-appreciated-inquiry

John W
30/1/2020 06:20:50 pm

Nick. A good thought. Thanks. John

Reply
Nick Wright
31/1/2020 02:39:25 pm

Thanks John!

Reply
Bill McAdory
6/2/2020 04:44:42 pm

Acute self awareness is key to unlocking one’s true self and a deep understanding that leads to defeating fear!

Reply
Nick Wright
6/2/2020 04:45:28 pm

Hi Bill. Intriguing. Can you say more..?

Reply
Moana Robinson
6/2/2020 10:29:59 pm

Great post - yes I have purposely put myself into situations out of comfort zone and had a sense of curiosity on reflection of how the situation felt and results - for me
This is where a lot of growth has happened.

Reply
Nick Wright
6/2/2020 10:31:17 pm

Thanks Moana. That’s a great way to develop self-awareness!

Reply
Jacqueline Wales
6/2/2020 10:33:03 pm

As someone who has lived in several countries and pushed boundaries on many different dimensions, I'm very familiar with the idea that exposing yourself to different scenarios will open you up to who you are. I truly believe that we create the life we want, or desire, but first you have to use your power of imagination to stay open, stay curious and allow for the failures that will be an inevitable part of the exploration.

Reply
Nick Wright
6/2/2020 10:35:35 pm

Hi Jacqueline. That sounds like a personal and powerful experiential combination of discovering, creating, curiosity and imagination.

Reply
Jacqueline Wales
6/2/2020 11:16:58 pm

Absolutely. Life by the seat of your pants!!! 

Nick Wright
6/2/2020 11:17:43 pm

😎

Hannah Bowers
7/2/2020 09:31:42 pm

Absolutely! I adopted this a couple years ago when I started an affirmations & intentions journal, which I now write in daily. Re-aligns me with confidence and trust. Curious about others?

Reply
Nick Wright
7/2/2020 11:15:59 pm

Thanks Hannah. I would be interested to hear more about your affirmations and intentions journal. What does it entail?

Reply
Hannah Bowers
7/2/2020 11:46:10 pm

Every day I think of what I want or need, and I write it down as though it were already true. Often lots of "I am" statements. Sometimes mantra-like affirmations such as "Everything is working out for me" or "I choose love". :)

Nick Wright
7/2/2020 11:48:00 pm

Thanks Hannah. What a great example of positive psychology in action. ☀️😀




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    ​Nick Wright

    ​I'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? ​Get in touch!

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