Possibility

One of my favorite writers says our job is to give birth to the best that is within us.

Part of that process is being open to what is possible.

Often, when my coaching clients are faced with a challenge or they’re at a crossroads in their life, I’ll ask them to examine their thinking. Their thoughts. What’s predominantly top of mind?

Are the playing the “what if up” game (expanding into the realm of what is possible) or the “what if down” game (thinking that this change will surely lead down them down a path of doom).

Years ago I attended an International Coaches Federation conference in Quebec and heard Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, author of The Art of Possibility and motivational speaker (see a clip about Ben here).

Benjamin Zander was born in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghampshire, England in 1939. His parents had emigrated from Berlin in 1937 to escape the holocaust, and raise their four children.

Ben’s empowering keynote presentation left half of the 5,000 people who were watching him, in tears. He used music, musicians (local volunteers), spontaneity and his electric presence and passion to kindle, ignite and challenge each of us to ask “what is possible?” in our lives. In our careers. In our relationships. In our businesses. In our communities.

I woke up this morning thinking about Ben Zander. I am at a juncture in my life where I have the privilege and honor of being able to touch and support many lives in a myriad of ways. I believe one of my jobs—one of our jobs—is to hold the space for possibility for one another. To see for others –their potential—what they are unable to see, or maybe not ready to see.

Tonight I’ll be attending a Business+Balance Austin meeting. I started this amazing, unique professional group four years ago when I--as a passionate entrepreneur and a parent--needed a special type of network and support that I was unable to find locally.

So, I created it.

I am excited about the possibilities and opportunities that exist for the hundreds of savvy, amazing entrepreneurs in this group and I feel blessed to have played a part in holding a space for “possibility” for each of them.

What is possible for you in the coming year? I challenge you to think bigger than you ever have before. And, to surround yourself with people who can hold an “ocean of possibility” for you ....even if you’re just slowing paddling up an inlet, headed steadily out to the big sea.

Photo by Renee Trudeau: My six-year old son , putting one front in front of the next, headed out into a sea of lavender on the Olympic Peninsula (WA state).