When you start noticing the limits you put on your own thinking and welcome a bit more theorizing…spectacle even, your ability to contemplate or process or think in a meaningful way expands, your life becomes your own and deep belonging in synchronicity with others is more possible than ever.
This week’s The Kickass Koach podcast jumped into the topic On Thinking with an admission that I was struggling to define my focus on theory, processing or the tyranny of the familiar. I opened with the Bohm quote you see below as well and offer an insight gleaned when recently meeting an anthropologist.
This week the newsletter I relate a story from my undergrad years at University of Waterloo when I struggled with watching those who clearly employ analytical minds unwilling to apply them in every aspect of their lives. The Wednesday videos on LinkedIn (expanded version) and Instagram (abbreviated) circles the topic a bit but essentially lands on the message of how important it is in life and especially in one’s career to constantly be testing theories, rather than quickly jumping to conclusions.
This post seeks to land in greater clarity around how the way we guide our thinking is critical to making our life whatever it is and becomes.
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
-Aristotle
On Thinking as a Viewing Party
“Thus, in scientific research, a great deal of our thinking is in terms of theories. The word ‘theory’ derives from the Greek ‘theoria’, which has the same root as ‘theatre’, in a word meaning ‘to view’ or ‘to make a spectacle’. Thus, it might be said that a theory is primarily a form of insight, i.e. a way of looking at the world, and not a form of knowledge of how the world is.”
― David Bohm “Wholeness and the Implicate Order“
Calling thinking a viewing party may seem a bit trite. Another way of looking at it may be as a deep dive of discovery. To gain clarity on or understand one’s strengths or inclinations or patterns or beliefs, a willingness to be open to seeing things differently is imperative. Bohm is essentially reminding us that if we go into an examination already expecting past knowledge to be confirmed we are not thinking at all. At least not in the way a credible scientist who scrutinizes their thinking would. This approach gives processes of thinking a very different flavour.
In past posts I’ve referenced Kahneman and Tversky’s research in the areas of psychology and economics. Moreover, I take a different look at their application of system 1 and 2 below. That said, as we consider how thinking is perhaps healthiest in the form of theorizing, it is important to note how poorly we develop the noticing aspect of thinking.
To observe is effortful. To think without getting caught in old patterns requires a curiosity to listen and observe and process through a fresh set of eyes. This is what makes observation so powerful and so difficult to sustain. Again it takes me back to my motto from Max Planck, “when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
The trick, it turns out, is being willing to really look.
On Thinking as Processing
The value of seeing the world through the eyes of another is obvious when you stop and think about it. If the act of thinking is to use one’s mind to make connections, whether to solve problems or create new opportunities, isn’t an openness to see what wasn’t initially visible, central to success? I would think so.
Whether a problem solver in a work place or a scientist examining climate change or the migration of species, careful examination of connections and evolution is essential to success. Being caught in a tyranny of the familiar, as the story in my newsletter highlights, clouds one’s ability to see. Clouded vision or judgment is a obstacle to thinking or processing.
Those who scuba dive into the beliefs that drive thinking and thinking are wise. The job is to learn to observe the habits that become patterns and eventually shift mindsets. It is in this exploration that one sees the remnants of the beliefs, limiting or not, and the values that offer fresh insights. It’s like a money trail, it requires a audit, a scientific exploration starting with a theory. Finally, the conclusion or treasure trove may surprise, but only if you are open to the dig.
“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”
– Shakespeare
Back to Kahneman and Tversky with their “system 1” and “system 2” thinking. I, like many, have typically valued the steady and reasonable process of the second. It is worth considering briefly that neither mode of thinking is more important or beneficial than the other. In considering the deep processing and the critical nature of observing in the moment, it may be more significant that we learn to value both while developing the capacity to shift between them effectively. to apply the thinking mode that fits the situation. Working to develop the skills to know which and the willingness to experiment with it even in the act of applying it. In other words truly observing our own effectiveness at the time of applying our process of thinking.
All the World’s a Stage – The Art of Viewing & the BYI System
My Bank Your Impact System focuses, in part on learning to observe. On viewing one’s life and behaviour and patterns in order to become more self-aware. Seeing life as one big experiment frees a person to observe and test their theories. This is the heart of living and performing in a growth mindset. Moreover, taking an observer’s role offers permission to adjust course and expand the theatre of life. One goal of the Bank Your Impact (BYI) System is cultivating presence. By developing a keen eye for what is going on, one is better able to adapt to the circumstances and own their presence.
At its core, the BYI System seeks to shed light on the participant’s strengths and values, realizing that everything they produce in their life bubbles out of them through the intervening limiting beliefs, attitudes, mindset, patterns and habits. Our frames offer clues helping navigate our journey to self awareness.
The Bank Your Impact (BYI) System is about both developing and embedding self-awareness. Benefits of expanded resilience, connections built on understanding the impact of belonging and an ability to bolster a professional and authentic presence are foundational.
The current system incorporates 1:1 coaching, roundtable conversations; eventually I’ll add a neuro-social learning experience (currently only available in organizational contracts but will be added to the system for individual engagement in 2021).
My approach is based on the ICF (International Coaching Federation) standards. I’m meeting you (my clients) where you are, both as the coaching agreement begins, and in the moment that exists at the time of each conversation. Progress or growth is not a straight line. The ICA model is the framework for every conversation: Issue/Insight, Choice/Commitment, Action/Accountability. Over the past year I’ve been tightening the model to meet the needs of my clients.
Holding space to support my clients in:
- Developing meaningful insights
- Expanding/deepening perspective on those insights
- Building/designing a practice to try on new ways of being/seeing OR experiment for discovery
- Assessing progress, becoming agile in transfer of learning and application before developing additional insights
An organic experience
The experience is tailored around what you bring to each conversation, in my experience, there are common themes that arise including: self-awareness, mindfulness, mindset, communication, connections, and attitude. Self-awareness stands alone but is also a foundational theme. I have registered upwards of 40 sub-concepts that fit under each of these categories. I bring tools, skills and techniques to respond and guide our work together, informed by positive psychology, neuroscience, and management/leadership research.
Walk With Me, to Where You Want to Be
In April 2018, I was struck by, what felt like, a call of purpose; an insight of sorts. It inspired me to shift the focus of my practice. I’m now walking with 30 somethings. People who are at a pivotal spot in life and career. Whether THERE by age or spirit, I want to walk with people at this place in their life. This is a time in life when we are natural SEEKERS. We’re ready to do some self exploration & find the real meaning of our life? It is also a time when we are more likely to get stuck and make poor choices.
The research suggests people embrace their inner REBEL during their 20’s (the most rebellious after the toddler days in fact). If you are passive in your 20’s you will want to get curious about that too! Most of us slip quietly and comfortably though into ACCOMMODATOR in our 30’s. This documented pattern grabbed my attention and my mission was made clear. Moreover, I’m intent on resurfacing, or igniting, that inner rebel, whose perspective, now shaped with more experience, may offer insights many typically miss when insight and awareness matter most.
In June 2018 I took a course in story telling. I was intent on finding my “Big Why” to help me understand my purpose for shifting my practice. Ultimately, I landed on my story. It spans from my childhood, with a pivotal point in my early 20’s finally culminating in a significant career turning-point at the age of 37. This story revealed an unhealthy pattern while illuminating my new purpose. In fact, I feel motivated when remembering the moment of insight because this transition is difficult. Ultimately though, it adds meaning to my work. Listen below…
Feel like you’re living someone else’s destiny?
If that’s working for you, great. If it isn’t or it starts to be a problem, reach out. I welcome a conversation.
Willing to do the work to find more meaning?
With the skills to unpack the emotions and barriers and triggers and mindset challenges with the skills in my BYI system, participants begin to see the impact in their career and finally begin to discover what matters most to them. The bonus: they begin to see a path to get there. Join me…
My system is intended to be meaningful, relevant, accessible and affordable. With that in mind, there are many ways to engage with me. Below find THREE ways to get started, without spending a dime.
Walk with Me!
- REGISTER for an ASK ROX RoundTable… TWO LIVE 50 minute engagements available at your desk or phone – the second Tuesday and the last Friday of every month – limited to 12 participants in each and FREE in 2019.
- BOOK a complimentary exploratory 1:1 conversation 20-30 minutes.
- SUBSCRIBE to my mailing list from my home page, receive an interactive exercise helping you cope with stress, and a weekly reflection.
Of course I’d love to bring my work to your team or workplace, you can…
- Book me to speak at your conference or to a group in your organization. My workshops on building resilience, improving workplace outcomes through relationships, and increasing performance are big hits!