Everywhere I look, there are reports of doom and gloom. The biggest stories, regardless of who is reporting them, seem to be organized around the idea of making the viewer or reader afraid. I can’t think of any other way to describe it. The stories seem to be reported with some kind of slant that if we don’t manage change then everything is going to be all messed up and we are going to suffer severe consequences.
They may be right, but I am challenged by this approach. It makes me feel negative and hopeless. I know there are problems, and that we need to fix them, but I can’t help but think about the concept that so many smart people call the "self-fulfilling prophecy." If we continue to focus on the problems, won’t we eventually create more problems?
Appreciative Inquiry
David Cooperrider developed a methodology for system wide renewal that is commonly known as Appreciative Inquiry. In its broadest focus, Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is focused on discovering that which gives life. The goal is to discover what it is that makes an individual, an organization, and even the world alive. Where does the sustaining energy come from? How can that energy be used to create even more life?
One of the basic tenants of Appreciative Inquiry is that in every system, there is something that is working.A conscious choice can be made by those affected by the system to either study what is working or what is not working. The results we get, depend upon what we are studying. If we study what is working, we get more of that. If we study what is not working, well – you get the picture.
We Are Problem Solvers
Most of us, at one point or another in our careers, received training on how to solve problems. We were taught a basic 4 step process. 1) Identify and understand the problem. 2) Create an action plan. 3) Put the plan in action and solve the problem. 4) Look for more problems to solve.
Since we naturally like to solve problems this seems like a pretty good system. But what is it doing to us as individuals and as a society? Since we are always focusing on problems, we keep discovering more problems. We find problems with the solutions we find to solve problems. There are problems everywhere. We will never run out. How does a focus on this ‘Problem Solving" approach affect our ability to hope for a brighter future?
Vacation From My Problems
I am filled with "Optimistic Tendencies". I like to see the good. I like to see what is working. When I am able to do that, I live a much better life. The problems don’t go away. They will always be there, but instead of spending my time in the spiral of identifying problems and how I can minimize them, I choose to spend my time discovering what is bringing positive energy and how I can do more of that. I like living my life this way. It makes me feel more engaged with what is going on around me. It helps me see what I can do to raise the bar and make things better.
I understand, that there is a place for problem solving. It works very well in a crisis, but thankfully, I don’t live my life in a constant crisis. So why would I want to use the method that works best in a crisis when everything is flowing along smoothly. Some would say that it would help me avoid future crises, but I think those crises will be better avoided by doing what I do best and leaving the rest for somebody else.
Where Is Your Focus?
What is the focus in your life? Are your moments of self-reflection riddled with thoughts of your personal inadequacies? Or do you see your amazing talents? When you think about your organization or your work team, are you plagued by what is going wrong? Or do you see the value your organization brings to the world and the individual strengths each team member possesses?
Your answers to these questions, most likely define the levels of peace and harmony that you enjoy in your life? Changing your focus is not as difficult as it may seem. All you really have to do is look toward what you want and begin moving in that direction. There is enough sunshine for every one of us. I am going out for a walk!
Live Today! Love Today!
760-559-3548
