The secrets of visionary thinkers…
Susan Robertson wrote a blog post entitled "The Secrets of Visionary Thinkers - 5 Steps to Living in Possibility." In the post, Robertson notes that famous innovators and other creative people do not possess inherent qualities that the rest of us lack. Instead, they have learned how to consistently live in possibility rather than focusing on obstacles. Visionary thinkers see possibilities and make a daily choice to imagine a different world and refuse to let obstacles limit their thinking. Robertson suggests that anyone can become a visionary thinker by learning to leverage their creative genius, which includes being open-minded, innovative and imaginative, willing to take risks, optimistic, and collaborative.
Robertson explains that one of the primary barriers to living in possibility is the negativity bias, which is a cognitive bias or mental shortcut shared by all humans. Negative experiences have a greater impact on our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors than positive experiences. Our brains have evolved to excel at identifying potential negatives so we can avoid them, which can trap us into living in obstacles. Living in possibility requires refusing to let the negativity bias rule our thinking.
Robertson recommends several steps to manage around the negativity bias and transform the way we think. First, we must pinpoint the problem by monitoring when we say "yes, but." This short phrase dismisses any potential positives in an idea or concept before identifying what those positives might be. Second, we must make a conscious choice to change our thinking by identifying potential positives first before focusing on negatives. Third, we must refrain from saying the negatives out loud, even though our brains will subconsciously identify them. Fourth, when working with others, we must ask them to identify potential positives first and to understand that letting our natural negativity bias dominate the conversation can immediately kill any idea. Fifth, we must transform the conversation when addressing the challenges of an idea by using "how might we...?" questions instead of "yes, but..." statements.
In conclusion, by following these steps, anyone can become a visionary thinker and consistently live in possibility.
