A world of possibility
You learned, on page 46, about the idea of “learned optimism” as
developed by Martin Seligman. I would like to take this concept
one stage further and suggest that, to be truly smart, you need to
understand the world of “learned possibility.” Seligman’s learned
optimism concept is based on the way you interpret events as they
happen to you. Mine is about a view of the future that is separated
from the restrictions of optimism or pessimism. It is not about
being half full or half empty, but about the possibility that you
might be filled to the brim, that anything can be done.
It is a kind of mental modeling that I am convinced brings
huge benefits.
Mike Leibling, director of Trainset, puts it like this: “If you have
one idea, it’s a compulsion. If you have two ideas, it’s a dilemma. But
if you have three or more ideas, then you have a choice.”
Here are just a few practical suggestions as to how you can
move into the world of possibility: Give yourself one goal only each day.
Make time for at least one period of at least 20 minutes of total
relaxation each day.
Always look at problems from at least three points of view.
Make a note every day of what surprises you.
Try to surprise someone you work with every day.
As well as writing them down, always visualize problems.
Use all your senses.
Use music somehow every day of your life.
Make sure you become absorbed for an hour or more in at least one
task every day.
If you use brainstorming, focus on what you do in the last five
minutes.
Hold some meetings standing up.
Send fewer group emails.
Make a point of speaking in person to at least one person you were
planning to email every day.
Harnessing Your Creativity 179