Member: MarkCoggins

Be A Possibilitarian

By Catherine Pulsifer

Nine people were discussing a business problem. The challenge they were facing was not their fault; it was circumstances beyond their control that resulted in this problem. The problem was identified, and they were discussing what they were going to do about it.

"What will we do," asked one of them. One person immediately said, "There is nothing we can do." That response was unacceptable to the rest of the group and acted as a spark of action. "Yes, there is something we can do!" replied two of them in unison. It was at that point that their minds started to work coming up with solutions. It reminded me of the quote by John Cage, "If someone says 'can’t', that shows you what to do."

We are all faced with challenges at some point in our life, challenges that we did not create. Challenges that happened beyond our control. The difference is how we respond to these challenges. You can adopt the attitude there is nothing you can do, or you can see the challenge as your call to action. Your attitude can take you forward or your attitude can take you down. The choice is always yours!

As Norman Vincent Peale said, "Become a 'possibilitarian'. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities - Always see them, for they are always there."

posted by theoldman at 9:01 am (EST) on Nov 3, 2009