Conscious Awareness – a workplace example

By Perry | May 21, 2009

This is part two from a previous posting.

Let’s review the example.

It’s October 2008. Everyone knows the downturn is coming. It’s just a matter of time. Fear already is beginning to rise in the workplace and rumors of layoffs are heard with increasing frequency. You’re in a staff  meeting with your team and your supervisor says the following looking directly at you: “We’re holding steady on headcount, but we’re also considering other measures to deal with the expected downturn in sales.”

What does this mean? Is your manager trying to tell you something? Do your shoulders tighten? Does your breath get short? Are you paying attention to what’s happening in the staff meeting now or are you trying to decipher what just happened, running through scenarios of what you’ll do if you lose your job?

With all the layoffs taking place in this down economy, this example is probably apt for many readers. How does a person benefit from conscious awareness in such a situation?

Let’s take a look.

First, the consciously aware person recognizes the most crucial point: he or she is not this job. Being free of egoic domination, the consciously aware person also is free to finding her identity tied up in a job, title, level of income or any other thing people tend to confuse with who and what they are. So at the most fundamental, our consciously aware person is nonplussed by her manager’s statement, whatever it may mean.

Secondly, she recognizes that everything that goes on “out there” in “reality” is a product or result of what’s going on in her “up here” – her head space. So the experiences she his having are simply that: experiences. How she experiences them is totally in her control. This is a key differentiator between a person living from conscious awareness and a person who does not. It’s called having a choice in the matter of one’s experience.

You see, most people in this experience will have a fear or ego based immediate reaction to the experience whereas a consciously aware person will respond to the experience based on how she chooses she wants to feel. In some cases she may have a reaction like ordinary people. But she knows even in the midst of or after a reaction, she can still dramatically alter her present moment experience by choosing a new response over whatever reaction she may have made.

This is a powerful ability. In conscious awareness terminology it’s called having response-ability – the ability to respond to a circumstance rather than reacting to it.

So for our consciously aware person, what the manager meant is irrelevant because no matter what happens, she is in control of her experience, not her manager or some other external circumstance.

From this place of freedom and power, she can choose a myriad number of responses, including no response. But most importantly, she can maintain the peace and tranquility in her head space while others are catastrophizing, speculating, rumor fondling what may happen next. This ability leaves her free to continue to be creative, insightful and fully contributory to her office, while others lose touch with their creativity and inspiration as a result of becoming enveloped in fear.

Maintaining peace and tranquility in the present also creates a future of peace and tranquility. In the next post we’ll explore how this could possibly be the case…

Posted in awareness, consciousness, jobs, organizational development, personal growth, spirituality in the workplace | Leave a comment

Is optimism the new “get real” in business?

By Perry | May 19, 2009

This Businessweek article extols the virtues of Optimism. Seems that maybe, just maybe, business is beginning to see the light?

An excerpt from Businessweek reporter Warren Bennis’ article:

For leaders in today’s and tomorrow’s business climate, however, I suspect that a far more appropriate motto would be: “Only the optimists survive.”

How Optimists Define Reality

Limits, constraints, and reduced expectations are the conventional prescriptions for our time. True leaders, however, are able to see beyond an anemic zeitgeist in order to sense opportunities that can employ and house a multitude.

Optimists have a sixth sense for possibilities that realists can’t or won’t see. That gives the optimist the ability to “define reality” for others in a compelling way—which is the first task of a leader, as author Max DePree has observed. This is not sentimentalism: It is the essence of creative pragmatism. It is good because it works.

Great stuff.

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Amazing 3 minute spirit boost.

By Perry | April 22, 2009

This video/song speaks powerfully to the truth of who and what you are. More people are discovering this. Is now your time?

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Using conscious awareness to resolve interpersonal conflict

By Perry | April 15, 2009

Inevitably, whether in the workplace or in your personal life, you run into them: interpersonal conflicts. Often, these conflicts sprout from a misperception based on separation, egoic fear, or a sense of self-dis-empowerment.

For example. It’s October 2008. Everyone knows the downturn is coming. It’s just a matter of time. Fear already is beginning to rise in the workplace and rumors of layoffs are heard with increasing frequency. You’re in a staff  meeting with your team and your supervisor says the following looking directly at you: “We’re holding steady on headcount, but we’re also considering other measures to deal with the expected downturn in sales.”

What does this mean? Is your manager trying to tell you something? Do your shoulders tighten? Does your breath get short? Are you paying attention to what’s happening in the staff meeting now or are you trying to decipher what just happened, running through scenarios of what you’ll do if you lose your job?

Another example. You’ve met someone you really like. It’s been three weeks since you met and this person has been treating you like someone special. You’ve been introduced to this person’s friends using terms of endearment such as “sweetie,” “darling,” “girlfriend” or “boyfriend.” One evening you call your special someone and he or she tells you that he or she met someone who they like and spent some time getting to know that person. Do you get upset because you feel that your special someone “cheated,” even though you’ve had no agreement about being exclusive?

Let’s take a look at how conscious awareness might enable some freedom in both examples. But first, let’s first look at the term itself.

There are many definitions for the word “consciousness.”  One of them I really like. It comes from Princeton University’s online dictionary:

“An alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation.”

It’s clear from this definition that if you are conscious, there are several characteristics indicating that state: Alertness, being aware, knowing your self and your situation. But a higher quality of consciousness as it relates to being human also includes the ability to distinguish consciousness itself from the mental processes that make up brain activity. We’ve talked about this in earlier posts. So from our viewpoint, consciousness is a state of alertness in which you are aware of your self and your situation, both of which are seemingly distinct, but at their essence are parts of a greater unified whole. That unified whole is who and what you are manifested as both objective reality (the environment in which you find yourself) and subjective experience (your physical self and everything associated with it). Consciousness is being aware of who and what you are. In our usage, it goes far beyond ordinary cognitive awareness.

Which brings us to awareness. Again, many definitions, but let’s go back to Princeton’s online reference:

“Having knowledge of”

Of course, awareness, like consciousness has a quality to it. Its quality is a vitality that keeps awareness in place. That vitality is a constant is-ness that makes awareness aware, instead of being its opposite. This vitality is a channeling of energy or attention to something. And that channeling is what keeps the awareness in place.  So exercising awareness is to bring attention to something and keeping that attention on that something.

Conscious awareness then is a constant channeling of attention or energy to the nature of who and what you are and then maintaining that attention of energy and the insights you find there as the basis for living.

Conscious awareness allows a person to be able to recognize opportunities where there may appear only challenges to the ordinary person. We’ll look at this in more detail later. Conscious awareness only happens when you are in the present moment, focused on what you’re doing. However, you can for example be consciously aware that you are daydreaming, and be in the daydream consciously aware. But that’s another [confusing] issue.

When you’re consciously aware, you not only are aware of what you’re doing, with your attention in the present moment, you also are firmly consciously aware of your connection to everything and everyone, your unified presence that is shared with all other living things. AND you act from that realization. In my next post, let’s revisit the workplace example above and look at it from this vantage point.

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A Better World: Let’s do it differently

By Perry | March 27, 2009
credit: woodleywonderworks at creative commons

credit: woodleywonderworks at creative commons

What does it take to create a better world? If you attended my speech this evening at The Better Living Expo, you got an introduction. This blog post takes what you heard a step deeper, enabling you to open yourself to your own conscious awareness so you can begin creating the world you want. I’m writing this post for those who are feeling life is less than what you’d prefer, those who wish things were different or that things were better than they are.

A quick recap

Our world is a spaceship hurtling through space on a continuous journey. Where it is going doesn’t matter. What matters is that we all recognize and own the fact that we are all crewmembers aboard this ship! So we have to work together, in unity, to survive the journey. But we have gone astray on our ship. Ours is the most dysfunctional crew ever known to space travel. We are separated into nation states, different cultures, religions, political views, races, families etc., and we use those differences to discriminate between us. Discrimination in this context doesn’t mean “racial discrimination.” It means to see a difference based on certain characteristics when in fact there are way more similarities among us all. We use our minds to perpetuate this discrimination and we perpetuate the perpetuation because we think we are our minds when in fact, we are not. As a result of this mix-up, we have created circumstances on board our spaceship that are creating the illusion of separation, fear and negativity and all of that is destroying our life-support system and making us all suffer.

The good news is those same circumstances are triggering an awakening. The fact that you’re reading this and I’m writing it is evidence that this awakening is taking place.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it

Each one of us as individuals owns the results of our lives. Until we accept that, we are stuck. The great news in that realization is we can change our reality. Doing so is simple, but it’s not easy. It’s not easy because you may have been living your life in fear, negativity and suffering for so long that you’ve worn mental ruts – persistent thought patterns – in your brain, creating a seemingly permanent state of pessimism in your “reality.” The way out of that condition is to exercise your conscious awareness to discover that you are not your mind and that what’s going on in the world is being shaped by what’s going on in your head and in the heads of everyone else. If you want to see a change in your external environment, you must first change what’s going on in your head. You have to exercise will-power, consistency and commitment to create new persistent thought patterns, patterns that serve your desired reality rather than the one you’re dissatisfied with. To be successful at this you must realize a couple of things:

1. You are not your thoughts

2. You are not your mind

You took part in an exercise at the Expo to open to this. Remember? The result you had is a clear example that you are not your mind. That the mind serves you. It serves you when you become aware that you are not your mind. Until then it runs you. This realization alone will begin a rapid process of transformation all by itself. All you have to do is stay consciously aware, and respond to things in your environment from that place. A response is different from a reaction. Here, I’ll give you a real-life example:

This example just happened to me this morning, before I wrote this post. Someone dear to me and I were on the phone as I was making breakfast. She asked me what I was making and I told her: pancakes, bacon and eggs.

“Wow,” she said. “Did you work out this morning?”

Now, it was clear to me what my dear one was saying. To put it mildly she was saying “Goodness! That breakfast is TERRIBLE for you.” Can you imagine other ways – both positive and negative – I could have reacted to that question? I’m sure you can. How many of you would have interpreted that question like this: Wow, this person really loves me. I would suggest, in an intimate context, this would not be very high on the list of actual, although probable, interpretations. If you’re unconscious to your reality, in other words, if your mind is running the show, it is likely that you will run with a negative, attacking, critical interpretation of this question. You would do this automatically. And that would be a reaction. It also would be normal. What is available in moments like these, even if you react automatically to such moments, is bringing presence, or conscious awareness to the conversation and having no reaction whatsoever to what is said. Then you have the freedom to respond.

I’m sure you’re probably wondering what my reaction was. Well, I had no reaction. I noticed that she asked the question and then responded with a question of my own. Here’s what I said:

“Are you asking that because of what I’m making?”

“Yes,” she said.

“Oh. I said. No, I didn’t work out this morning.”

And that was it for me. No negativity, no interpretation. Just plain, simple observation. Now, I’m only using this personal example to illustrate the capacity you have for generating similar results. I’m not any different than you are. In fact, there really is no distinction between you and I. A great personal vignette that supports this assertion is Jill Bolte Taylor’s personal real-life story, as she told it on TED.

So, your mission as a leader of this spaceship’s crew, is to take control of your mind and begin creating a new reality for yourself. Because we are all connected, because there is no distinction between any of us, you will be changing realities for everybody. And in doing that you will begin seeing in your own life some really miraculous results.

Let’s recap, then move on:

So, creating new realities requires you to take control of what’s going on in your head instead of letting what’s going on up there to control you. This sounds simplistic, but it is profoundly important. It really is the source of all that you see in the world out there. “Taking control” simply means bringing your awareness to your thoughts and realizing that you are not those things. It then means doing something about it.

After you are clear that you can control what’s going on in your head, the next step  is to begin replacing those thoughts that are automatic with different ones. It’s not an easy task, admittedly, so you’ll need to practice. It’s a good idea to get help though hiring a coach, attending a seminar or workshop or reading books on the subject. But if you keep it up, you’ll notice something remarkable: your mood will improve, your feelings will become more optimistic and gradually, maybe slowly at first, you will find yourself rediscovering your joy. At the same time you’ll begin to see some amazing changes taking place in your external reality. This is a guarantee. I can guarantee it because it’s not possible to change what’s going on in your head and not see a corresponding change in your external reality, that’s how closely the two are related.

If you don’t believe this, you have nothing to lose by giving it a try. If you do, you will become the evidence that will convince you it works. Let’s do it together. Contact me, we’ll put an experiment in place and you will see that what I’m saying will become your reality. Then, once you have the proof you think you need, you can get on with creating a better world.

Posted in Abundance, authentic leadership, awakening, awareness, business consulting, business performance, consciousness, earth, enlightenment, happiness, how do i stop my mind?, how to lead, human suffering, humanity, leadership, reality, universe | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Facebook Generation shaping future workplaces

By Perry | March 26, 2009

The generation growing up on the internet is going to change the workplaces, I think for the better. The world is going to become a fluid place as a result of tearing down social structures and power dynamics resulting from human behavior that doesn’t serve high performing work teams. Don’t take my word for it, check out Gary Hamel’s article in the WSJ. It may be a ways off, but managers, might want to begin thinking now abut creating new perspectives on seeing the world, especially the world of work.

There is a convergence occurring. It is a new perspective being created by increasing levels of spirituality moving through humanity, converging with our technology. By “spirituality”  I”m not talking about a communion with a higher power, but  a conscious, dynamic, progressive, and integrative process in which human individuals and/or societies achieve their fullest potential in a condition of unity. There is so much evidence of this, it boggles the mind. Business leaders who recognize this and seize the opportunities may leap ahead of the rest.

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100+ Business owners inspired

By Perry | March 20, 2009

This week I gave a speech at the Beaverton and Greater Hillsboro Chambers of Commerce business conference and expo. More than 150 business owners attended the conference and more than 30 of them provided evaluations on my performance. Click the video to see a 5-minute sample. The gist of my speech was:

Don’t believe what our leaders are telling us. There are plenty of people seeing opportunity and reaping success during our “downturn.” You can be one of them. Here’s how.

 Every evaluation gave extremely high marks for the presentation, its content, quality and delivery. Here are a few excerpts:

“I have to visit your website, it was so inspiring. You are the only speaker today who really delivered what you promised!” – SB, Beaverton, OR

“Excellent way to end today’s conference. Thank you for your uplifting talk.”- AB, Beaverton, OR

“Your speech was simply excellent.” - PS, Hillsboro, OR

“The best, usable idea I gained from this program was that one of the best times to start a new business is during a down climate. I have to check out your website when I get home. I love hearing about positive mental, positive emotional growth & perception. Yours was a great speech!” – KC, Portland, OR

“In my opinion, this was a great program. I would have loved to hear more. I cant wait to find out where you are speaking next!” – JT, Lake Oswego, OR

“A wonderful, great speaker” – PB, Hillsboro, OR

“Excellent, I wish it was longer.” – KB, Beaverton, OR

If you know of an organization looking for a professional speaker, consider Perry Gruber Limited. You’ll be glad you did.

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Practical ways to creating optimism in an economic downturn

By Perry | March 18, 2009

[Blogger's note: This post is intended for those who attended my speech "Giving it 100 percent," at the Greater Hillsboro and Beaverton Chamber of Commerce. However, if you didn't attend this speech you may find the information useful. For those who did attend: welcome. Please feel free to make a comment about the speech I delivered, or to take some of the suggestions below as ways to begin creating an optimistic, present-centered mindset in your work life. The resources listed below can help you make your intent to become more present-centered and optimistic permanent a permanent way of bing. This same information, in much more detail of course, can be applied to creating high-performing work teams. If you're interested in hearing more about that, please contact me.]

First, if you’re looking for something that is easy or effortless, forgeddaboudit. Changing thinking patterns is work, and, like Josh says about being entrepreneurial takes tenacity.

Here’s why.

For decades, most human beings raise themselves on a steady diet of negativity and pessimism that literally get hard-wired in the brain. Through repetitive negative thinking, “pessimism” develops as a way of thinking. But it’s not just the thought that becomes hard-wired, the brain stucture itself forms neuron synapses over which this way of thinking occurs.  Over time these structures become stronger and ingrained in our brain, like ruts ingrained in our Oregon highways as a result of constant use. Before long a person is thinking this way all the time. We get so used to “driving” in these ruts, these ways of thinking, that we come to believe such thinking is a permanent part of our everyday selves. And it’s a vicious cycle: The more we think this way, the “stronger” such neural connections become. Don’t believe me? Check out this paper on the Neuroscience of Leadership which explains it all. So changing the way you think is challenging simply because you’ve been thinking this way for a long time.

But changing your thinking is not impossible. In fact, that article above, plus a lot of research, is revealing just how possible it is, and, more importantly, the research is showing how powerful such changes can be.  For an overview of this research, check out this Wikipedia article.

Of course the best time to create an optimistic mindset is when things are going relatively well. That way, you don’t have to face the ingrained nature of negative thinking in full bloom. But the economic downturn represents plentiful opportunities to change behaviors [both mental and otherwise] “in the thick” as some combat vets would say – when your brain is running a litany of negative and fear-based thoughts. Making such changes in this kind of environment may make changes more difficult because external circumstances are triggering  (and thereby reinforcing) your well-developed mental ruts of pessimistic- and future-oriented thinking. At the same time, your current thinking is reinforcing your “reality.”  As they say “Perception IS reality.” At the same time, such an environment is also target rich: you likely have plenty of present negative thinking to work on. But enough of the theory. Let’s get to some action!

Ten (and one bonus) ways to begin making a dent in negative thinking

The following are a few basic ways to begin recreating your reality by retraining the way you think. These methods are meant for short term relief only. Things will not change overnight using them. The real work works over months (at least) of continuous effort. It helps to have a coach, to participate in a series of workshops or to form a community of common souls to help you strengthen the unlearning process, but the methods can below are a good start.  Remember, you have this thinking style as a result of continuous effort thinking like you have been for as long as you’ve been on the planet. There is no way to reverse all that investment in “10 days or less” or even in 30 days. Think about the old Buddhist saying: knowledge comes from learning, enlightenment comes from unlearning. In some ways, unlearning is more challenging and takes longer. But nothing will result, nothing will change if you don’t start, or start and then give up. So let’s be a thermostat and shape that climate!

1. Shut off talk shows and news.

You want to cut off the source of external triggers that spark and feed negative thinking patterns and one of the worst offenders – and I’m sure you know this – is news and talk shows. I know, this sounds hard to do. But realize this: the news media serve up concentrated helpings of pessimistism that lead you to believe things are mostly bad in the world. Every time you tune in you connect to that stream of bad news. Stop. You’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel when you separate yourself from their constantly-connected news and information. Where to begin? Start small. Cut out one program you usually listen to. And don’t worry about falling off the wagon, We’re trying to change a strong habit and inertia will draw you back to that television or radio. If you find yourself listening to the one you said you wouldn’t, simply acknowledge that, and then turn it off. Simple.  If you tenacious, you’ll find yourself feeling mentally lighter in a few days. Today, I only listen to NPR in the morning or at lunch once or twice a week, but usually, my home and office are free of news and information. I should acknowledge here that cutting out ALL news and information may be a risk to your work. At the same time, I’d wager that 60% (really, I think it’s more like 90%) of news you consume has no impact on your work or career. In my last five years at Intel, I read, listened to and otherwise consumed NO news except information on my specialty (Corporate Social Responsibility) and Intel innovations. Far as I know, my work performance wasn’t impacted. Indeed,  I would say that freedom (so to speak) allowed my consciousness to consider possibilities I likely wouldn’t have pursued.

2. Deal with your fear of appearing disconnected from “current events.”

If you do #1, people are going to attack you and try to make you feel stupid when they say, “did you read that article on the recent failed bailout of such-and-such?” and you say “no, I’m not reading that stuff anymore.” Don’t listen to their verbal (and non-verbal) accusations. Know that when they react with disdain at your apparent lack of “current events” knowledge they’re trying justify their own pessimistic mindset (which they’re getting from the news) by trying to get you to plug back into your old habits. Don’t do it. How do you “don’t do it?” It takes lots of practice and support.

3. Go have fun.

Get out and do something you enjoy. I mean really enjoy. Getting out of your head and into something fun and enjoyable is a quick way to recover your natural joy. Don’t worry about your problems, they’ll still be there when you get back. So, go skiing, go to the coast with your significant other (yes, play hookie if you must), indulge in a hobby. But if you do this, be in that experience totally. Doing these things while thinking about work or the things you should be doing will not work. One day, my body took a walk in the woods while my mind was running through scenarios, people I should contact, things I should do when I returned to the office and when I got back to my home, I was no less stressed than when I left! If you’re going to stress while taking the walk, it would be best to get what you can accomplished before you go.

4. Get in touch with your negative thoughts.

Your word creates your world, especially those words you think rather than say. Take five minutes each day to notice what goes on in your head. Having a hard time doing this? Don’t know how? Try this: Close your eyes and say your name silently to yourself. Can you “see” your mind at work “saying” your name? Can you “hear” it? Now you’re in your head. In no time while you’re in there, you’ll find your head filling with all kinds of random thoughts. This is the “traffic” you want to start noticing. Continue this practice for at least 7 days, but ideally 30 days. The objective isn’t to change how your thinking in this step, but to notice what you’re thinking, as well as how you’re thinking. 

5. Start altering how you think.

Now that you’re aware of what’s going on upstairs, it’s time to start re-wiring the circuits. A powerful way of doing this is to dissolve negative thought patterns by focusing your attention on building new, positive thought patterns. But first you have to develop your ability to focus. Non-religious meditation is one way that really works. Check out the resources list below for sources of meditation-related books, websites and local centers.

6. Get a community.

Whether you find it online, quasi-online through MeetUp.com or at your chamber of commerce, form a group of people with the same intention and build a community of support. Some existing groups are listed below. Or better yet, start your own.

7. Get a life coach.

I know, the name is smarmy, but more and more people out there are being trained as Life Coaches. Some are really good. Be sure to find one that “fits.” Ask around.

8. Get smart on how word creates your world.

Biblio therapy works! Reading can work wonders, especially if you do the exercises the authors recommend. Check out the resources list and pick a title that piques your interest. Some are practical, others are way out. And for you men resistant to getting outside help, counseling and self-help: get over that.

9. Take a seminar.

There are plenty of workshops and seminars on related topics that can help you develop optimistic, positive outlooks. You may also find a community in the process. Locate one, check it out. You may find it stimulating.

10. Clue in your friends and family.

Let those close to you know what you’re doing so they can support your efforts. They may even want to join you. But if they’re against your efforts, and some may be, remember that they have their own hard-wired patterns including one that really likes the way you are and your efforts to change may be threatening to them. So don’t take their objections personally. Didn’t some famous guy say “Forgive them, they know not what they do.”?

11. Exercise.

Everyone knows the benefits of exercise on the mind. Working out, playing, even vigorous walks can have a marked improvement on your mood. However, exercise alone will not alter in the long term the way your brain works. For sure, this is a temporary measure.

Resources.

I have found the following resources helpful. Pick a few and dig in:

Books:

  • Steering by Starlight by Martha Beck – Very popular, world reknown life coach charts a detailed path to re-creating your reality
  • The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle – Hugely popular manefesto on how anyone can achieve deep conscious awareness. A must read.
  • Mind Power in the 21st Century, John Kehoe – Strong messaging and step-by-step processes for using your mind to alter physical reality.
  • A Course in Miracles, Dr. Helen Schucman – A mainstay popular approach to achieving awakening.
  • The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Dan Millman – An oldie, but goodie. Peaceful Warrior is a light-hearted introduction to a consciously-lived life.

Awakening an optimistic global awareness

  • The Progress Paradox, Gregg Easterbrook – Explores why we have all this stuff, yet we  remain profoundly unhappy.
  • The World is Flat, Thomas Friedman – Well-regarded look at how technology is changing the world around us.
  • Here Comes Everybody, Clay Shirky – An interesting approach to understanding leading edge technologies breaking down barriers between us all and how that is bringing power to the people and love to our existence.
  • Blessed Unrest, Paul Hawken – A powerful supposition comparing do-gooding humans to the body’s immune system.

Web resources:

  • Meditation:  www.amazon.com has a huge list of well-reviewed books on meditation. Simply search for “how to meditate”
  • Online access to local resources/groups/communities: www.Meetup.com – Meet up is an online community where people post events (meet-ups) online, then actually meet up in person. Search your city for meditation groups.
  • This site is chocked full of tips and lessons on meditation. It’s a bit new-agey, but if you can wade through that, you’ll find lots of instruction.
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Fill workplaces with people who love what they’re doing

By Perry | March 16, 2009

Creating high-performing workplaces is a challenge because doing so goes against common wisdom. But this guy is offering advice business people should listen too.

The article is mostly about taking a risk and working in your passion (which I have done), but there are hiring practice nuggets in there for companies too. Check it out: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/16/bregman.economy/index.html

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Examining new experiences: are you open?

By Perry | March 4, 2009

I was reading a blog of a colleague of mine who is starting her own business to help people get out of their own way so they can have the life they truly want. On her blog, I found the following:

“If we watch ourselves honestly we shall often find that we have begun to argue against a new idea even before it has been completely stated.”

 ~ Wilfred Trotter

 There is a lot of this that goes on in human nature, isn’t there? Do you find yourself looking for flaws in another person’s idea even before you fully understand it? I can see that behavior in my own life. I mean, hell, I’m not perfect by any stretch.

I get that it’s human nature to do so, but, imagine what we miss out on when we attack instead of listen, destroy instead of deferring and seeking flaws rather than seeking to understand…..the potential of a new friend, the potential of a powerful, capable workplace environment, and even, perhaps, the possibility of a stable, robust economy that is free of problems we have accepted as part of our current, failing one…..

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