“Learning to focus beyond ourselves when the odds are against us is one way to help overcome obstacles, grow and build resilience. When we approach obstacles or challenges interdependently, we gain competence and confidence to overcome them” (Grant, Hidden Potential, p. 132).

Temporary supports help build resilience and overcome challenges that can overwhelm and limit growth. In his book, Hidden Potential, Adam Grant uses examples of how athletes, musicians, mountain climbers and even the military use scaffolding to help individuals learn and grow. Key features of scaffolding from his book:

Adam Grant identified specific forms of proactivity, determination, and discipline that matter relating to stretching oneself to learn and grow. In his book Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, he says that “Traveling great distances requires the courage to seek out the right kinds of discomfort, the capacity to absorb the right information, and the will to accept the right imperfections” (Grant, Hidden Potential, p. 22).

A recent episode of Adam Grant’s podcast, ReThinking, caught my attention. He introduces his new book, Hidden Potential, and interviews Maurice Ashley, a chess Grandmaster. Maurice led an underdog middle school chess team to shatter stereotypes and help them unlock hidden potential.

How do you usher in the new year and plan for what’s ahead? What ways will you make room for change and create a plan for growth in the upcoming year?

Do you listen more to your inner critic or cheerleader? It’s important to give yourself time to celebrate all that you’ve done rather than criticize yourself about what you haven’t done. 

The comfort zone is a state of mind in which one feels familiar, safe and at ease. Change begins when you step out of your comfort zone.

It’s not always the same time of year, but usually around January and September my attention swings like a pendulum to healthy lifestyle habits. Ongoing celebrations during the holiday season and cookouts and summertime fun suddenly reach a point where I want to push the pendulum back toward healthfulness.

TINA v. TARA isn’t another ‘cage match’ gimmick between two billionaire business people like ZUCKERBERG V. MUSK. These are investment terms I’m borrowing to help you contemplate fixed versus flexible thinking and how this relates to change.

Do you remember being young and dreaming about doing something wildly outrageous?

There are times when my habits serve me well and are aligned with what I value (eating healthy, exercising, spending time with family and friends, etc.) and other times I get derailed and off track. By learning more about how habits are formed, we can figure out ways to redesign them.

Throughout nature, growth involves periodic transformations. The leaves drop , the trees bud and bloom and the caterpillar turns into a butterfly. Whether we like it or not, change will happen, so taking time to understand the process of change can be helpful during the seasons in life when everything seems to be changing.

Not everyone values the same things, so taking time to figure out what YOU value is worthwhile. What do you really want and how are you going to create a rich and meaningful life?

What are your heart’s deepest desires? Let’s try to discover answers to this very BIG question by getting a better understanding of your values. Taking time to clarify or re-define what’s important to you can help you move in a direction aligned with your values

ACT (Acceptance and commitment therapy) is a mindfulness-based theory, but there are significant differences between ACT and other mindfulness-based programs. ACT is about taking action. In ACT, we learn mindfulness skills to help us take action to improve our lives.

Have you ever been having a conversation, and you’re actually “off in your head” thinking about what you’ve got to do later or something that happened earlier?

Let’s get a better understanding of your own personal struggle switch and how it developed.

Do you struggle with difficult thoughts or feelings? Do you want to get rid of them, push them away or avoid them at all costs? You might be in a vicious cycle that Russ Harris refers to in his book, The Happiness Trap, as the “struggle switch.”

Imagine that you were thinking about leaving a job that wasn’t satisfying any more. You start to make plans to take time off to figure out what you’d like to do next. Perhaps you want to leave because the culture and environment is toxic; maybe you aren’t challenged or maybe you’re getting ready to retire. Whatever the reason, you’re ready to take the leap to make a change and suddenly your “inner demons” show up.

By understanding where you shine your spotlight, you can learn to navigate thoughts and emotions in different ways. This month we’ll continue using Russ Harris’ book, The Happiness Trap, to explore the “observing self” and the principle of expansion.