“Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.” ~ Raymond Lindquist.
“But this is the way we have always done it!”
Sound familiar? It is a common belief I hear in my playshops that keeps us entrenched in the past, close to what’s comfortable and familiar, and unavailable to the new.
We like familiarity and certainty. It makes us feel safe and we don’t have to be creative. But our world is changing.
Play is training for the unconventional. It teaches us to be present, open and flexible, holding our ourselves and our perspectives lightly.
To thrive in today’s rapidly changing and uncertain world it helps to suspend belief and stay curious. We cannot hold on as tightly as we used to. We need to be adaptable and open to the untried and untested that’s increasingly coming around the corner.
Next time someone proposes a new idea to you, instead of saying Yes But, come from the Spirit of Yes And.
Be Curious ~ Ask questions such as:
- Tell me more
- What do you like about this idea?
- What is important to you about it?
- What’s possible if we went that way?
- What do you see as being the benefits?
- What impact do you feel this will have on others?
Be playful. Be light. Give someone’s idea a chance; some room to breathe. Suspend judgement and play along through listening and curiosity. You never know what their idea may lead to!
“If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said, ‘faster horses.'” ~ Henry Ford
Have a Playful Monday!
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Related Reading:
Finding Creativity & Purpose in the Messiness of Life
New World Leadership & Global Trends
A New World
Maybe
Related Training:
Remembering to Play ~ Inspiring Joy, Freedom & Self-Care
Leaders at Play ~ Creative & Engaging Leadership for a New World
Keynote Information