Possibility Thinking

Every day brings along a world of possibilities. But one thing that determines what we see and how we see things is our own attitude. If you look for problems and constraints, you will always find them – even in the best of situations.

In contrast, possibility thinking is an attitude of seeing things and asking, “What’s possible here?” and then working to bring those possibilities to life. Meaningful progress depends on the ability to see possibilities and make them happen.

How do we operate in the world of possibilities? Here are a few things to consider for yourself: 

• Do you believe you can deal with possibilities and work your way around constraints?
• Do you have the persistence to look for answers when you are unable to find straightforward solutions to constraints?
• Do you operate with the conviction that there is always a better way to do something?
• Are you attentive to what’s working and what’s not so that you are continuously learning while doing something? 
• Are you able to live with uncertainty and still act with confidence?
• Are you focused on execution, putting all your energy into taking the right next steps?

If you find yourself answering in the affirmative to all the questions, great. You are on the right track. However, if you find yourself answering negatively for any of the questions, consider what changes you can make to develop possibility thinking.