New Growth. By new Knowledge.

I know.

Now,
Really?

You’re right: it may not be the most accomplished way to challenge your client (coachee) by asking: NOW, REALLY? But then: Whatever works. We all know: Man is a repetitive animal, and this trait clearly has its advantages. Its pitfalls, too. Never hurts to be careful here: Is what we are used to see (say, think, feel . . .) really what is the case? Or is it merely out of habit, out of lack of awareness, out of a superficial view on what lies in front of us that we do not doubt our judgment? And go for the obvious?

How to (proficiently) be wrong.

Of course: There’s nothing wrong in being right. In knowing. But then, let’s not overdo it: To know we might be wrong, to (learn to) challenge our thinking, our observational capabilities, our reasoning, our feelings, too, ought to be basics in our success-and-happiness-toolkit.*

(* We, too, may from time to time be wrong. Don’t spread the news, please.)

Have a look at the slides.

Now, confess!

Confess that you thought it impossible that both objects, table 1 and table 2, share exactly the same element for their tops. We did so, too.

Here’s what’s in it for everyday use: We cannot be sure that what we think is true. Even if it seems perfectly clear, perfectly normal, perfectly logic, perfectly plausible, even (seemingly) »causal«. We simply can be wrong. From time to time.

For some, the ability to follow this simple fact of life is an aspect of the »vulnerability« concept. For us, it’s the road to success. To happiness, too. 

One more word – or two?

// The eye obeys exactly the action of the mind. //

Ralph Waldo Emerson — American Philosopher

// What you do isn’t about what you see – it’s about what you think (you see). //

James Turrell — American (Land) Artist