Inspired Leap - You are far more brilliant than you think you are!

• Quote of the Month
• Upcoming Speaking Engagements
• A Different Point of View
• The Imagination Of A Designer
• Building More Than Bridges
• Through the Eyes Of A Poet
• Inspired Leap Reminders
• Final Thoughts on A Different Point Of View

When I change my perspective or shift my point of view, something magical usually happens—an insight that previously eluded me suddenly pops into my head. In the stressful holiday season, I find it more important than ever to stretch my mind and look at professional and personal challenges in a new way.

Pressing ourselves for a quick solution or completion to get on to the next thing on our list limits our ability to come up with the ideal solution. So take a deep breath, relax, and read on to be inspired to look at your challenges from a different point of view.

The Power of Intuition at Lake Austin Spa Resort: November 19 and 26, 2006 and December 3 and 10, 2006, 8:00 pm – 8:50pm, for overnight guests only.

Intuitive Intelligence: A Critical Component of Achieving Excellence in the 21st Century, a workshop at Executive Women in Texas Government Conference: November 20, 2006, (Visit EWTG to sign up now.)

An Intuitive Intensive at Lake Austin Spa Resort: January 25, 2007, 9:00 am – 3:00pm, with spa treatment immediately following. (Visit Inspired Leap to sign up now.)

Envision 2007: What Will You Create For Your Business, Career, and Life?: January, 2007 (look for final date next month), 11:00 am – 1:00pm, at The Work Shop, Austin, TX. RSVP to Patti DeNucci REQUIRED. (email Patti at DeNucciandCo@aol.com to sign up.)

In the quote above, Sue Bender shares a brief story from her book, Stretching Lessons, about the wisdom of a four-year-old boy, Kyle. Bender relays what you can gain from stopping to listen to a different point of view. In her case, she heard the story secondhand; yet, her body, via goosebumps, helped her to understand the power of Kyle’s point of view. Kyle knew he was bigger than, more than, better than the current size of his body.
Think of a challenge you are facing or a question that you need the answer to. Imagine that you have just heard the story about Kyle’s being "bigger than that." How might considering that you are "bigger than" the challenge or problem help you to look at it differently? Or, in the case of a relationship challenge, perhaps being "bigger than that" is a message to let go of your anger and move toward forgiveness.

Another option is to consider the perspective of a young child. Imagine for a moment that you are the designer of children’s toys. As such, you need to get into the heart and head of a child. What might that child have to say about an issue you’re wrestling with? Take a break and head to a toy store and dream and imagine your way to an ideal solution to the problem that is confounding you.

In the November 13, 2006 issue of Fortune, there is a section on The Future of Design where the authors remind us that "good design stands out." "It inspires creativity and helps us imagine what might be." [p. 127] When you are stuck in a problem and unsure which direction to move in, consider stepping into the mind of a designer or architect.

Designers are able to look at space, light, and objects in a whole new way. They take the best from nature and the objects around them and apply it to the challenge on hand. For example, William McDonough wrote about the work his design firm, William McDonough & Partners, is doing in the area of sustainable architecture and buildings of the future.

Using trees as a model inspired McDonough’s team to design a new, sustainable building with a rooftop garden and the ability to purify the air, make oxygen, draw energy from the sun, and filter light.

Is there an appropriate model for your work? Or, an object or element of nature that you can refer back to when you feel blocked from a solution? For a moment, assume that a tree offers a valuable model or perspective for you. How might a tree apply its wisdom to your challenge? This is the kind of question that drives your logical, practical, and analytical mind crazy. Yet, move into the wacky world of the right hemisphere of your brain and play along for a moment.

When you are focused on actively solving a problem, it can be difficult to let your intuitive mind reveal its wisdom to you. Looking at nature for a potential solution takes you out of your thinking, analyzing mind and allows your intuition and natural creativity to speak to you. Shifting perspective to something as illogical as a tree, a stream, a building, a car, or any other object shuts down your left hemisphere because the perspective or question makes no logical sense.

So look out a window, or better yet, go for a walk and consider what the trees have to tell you about the challenge you’re facing.

In the same Fortune section on design, writer Julie Schlosser interviewed architect Santiago Calatrava about his leading-edge bridges and buildings. At one point in the discussion, Schlosser asked Calatrava about his fame as a builder of 20 bridges.

Can you use Calatrava’s ability to see bridges as so much more than a solution to a transportation problem as a way to see your challenges in a whole new light? Clearly Calatrava sees a bridge as "bigger than" a means of traversing from one side to another. Like our four-year-old friend, Kyle, Calatrava knows that even a bridge is "bigger than that." His broader perspective allows him to create brilliant works of beauty while delivering the practical function of a bridge. How might you apply this kind of thinking to your work?

Last week, I participated in a day retreat through a program at Seton Cove (an Austin spiritual center). We explored a poem by Mary Oliver, When I Am Among the Trees. I have looked at it often and find the simple wisdom to be powerful. I offer a small piece of the poem here in the hope that it might offer you some guidance as you move into the holiday season.

How might you use Mary Oliver’s interpretation of what trees have to tell us to help you change the way you work, play, and rest in the coming weeks? The next time you are in need of a new perspective, grab a book of poetry, or a favorite poem, and immerse yourself in the words. Let them help you see the world through new eyes.

Inspired Leap Reminders are areas of focus and part of the Inspired Leap Approach to maximizing productivity, creativity, and morale. In each newsletter, we take a look at how the topic of the month might be viewed in the context of these important areas of focus.

Responsibility: Just because you are ultimately responsible for coming up with solutions to your work, career, and personal challenges does not mean that you should only view them from your existing perspective. As Sue Bender notes, the true challenge is to stretch ourselves to see problems and ourselves in a whole new light.

Creativity: Creative people know they need to be inspired by their surroundings. If you need to spark your creative abilities, consider putting on your designer or architect "hat" and exploring a part of your city with fresh eyes. Look for the wisdom nature and buildings can offer you.

Detachment: Looking at something from a different point of view is an excellent way to begin to detach from the situation. You must pull back and separate from the problem in order to see from someone else’s perspective. So the next time you find yourself locked in to only one way of doing something, pull back and look at it from a valued friend’s or nature’s point of view..

Forgiveness: Remember Kyle and see yourself as bigger than any past events or any hurts caused by yourself or others. If your "Bigger Than That" self says it is time to move, then trust that it is and let the issue go.

Kindness and Compassion: For many people, the holidays are a time to get through and not enjoy. It can be hard to watch the warmth, love, and wealth holiday commercials and movies express. So be aware that you or your coworkers might be a bit down right now, and take a moment to spread a little bit of kindness and compassion to those most in need of it in your life.

Resistance to Change: Look at change from the perspective of a tree. They clearly see it as a natural part of their growth and life. Can you view change this way? Or, better yet, go back to the wisdom of our four-year-old friend, Kyle. I bet he loves change. When you find yourself clinging to old ways of doing things, change your point of view to that of yourself as a young child. That part of you still exists. Bring him or her out to help you overcome fears of moving forward.

May you open up to the possibilities that only a fresh point of view can offer. May you find the courage to take time to see your challenges through the eyes of a child, Mother Nature, or a trusted peer.

You have so much wisdom inside you to help you handle the problems that arise each day. By changing perspective, you give your inner wisdom a chance to express itself. Imagine what you can achieve when you are accessing all of your brilliance!

If your company needs help with inspiring employees to reach new heights in productivity, creativity, morale, and integrity, please contact us at inspiredleap.com or 512-236-0090. If you need some more inspiration or more regular nudging to practice these steps, check out our website to see what’s new to inspire you (a visit to The Quiet Room may be just what you need!).