I am passionate about this question. Rules set the boundaries for what is possible and what is not possible, for what is permissible and what is unthinkable. Some clearly come from the outside (laws, regulations, policies….) but most of the key rules governing our lives and our work we actually set for ourselves. They impact everything from our vision for the world to how we experience each and every moment.
We give them different names: rules, rituals, habits, mindsets, best practices and much more. And yet, they all serve the same function of constraining our thinking, making it easier and biologically cheaper for us to navigate our days. However, this comes at a cost in terms of reducing our curiosity and thus blinding us to possibilities and opportunities right in front of us.
I am not suggesting we throw them all away. I am, however, inviting you to become truly curious about every default thought and action. Because so much of this happens outside of our conscious awareness, we may not even know we have created certain rules. So, ask yourself: What rule must I have created for this to be the default?
Questions in the Image:
- What rules do I set for myself?
- What rituals do I have?
- What habits do I have?
Want to Read More Around This Topic?
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One by Dr. Joe Dispenza (link to Amazon.co.uk). This book delves into the concept of breaking free from ingrained patterns of thinking and behaviour by understanding the power of our thoughts and beliefs. It offers insights and practical strategies for rewiring our brains and creating new possibilities in our lives.
Nurturing Curiosity – Daily Practice: This is part of the Nurturing Curiosity series of tools, insights and questions designed to help nurture curiosity as part of our daily practice. In point of fact, every interaction we have is an opportunity to question what we are observing and how we and others are seeing the world. Also remember that questions come in many forms throughout our day – a sense of anxiety in the morning might trigger the natural question of What is troubling me? Or going a little deeper, how might I be generating fears to keep myself safe?
About Tom O’Leary
Tom guides bold pioneers through inner transitions towards regenerative futures.
His primary offering – through a process he calls Ecological Coaching – is about working with leaders on the mindset, skillset and structural shifts that will power their organisation’s outer transition.
This means helping leaders thrive while creating ripples of positive change within their organisation and most importantly for the communities they serve and ultimately life on this planet.
It is thus not just about the leader as an “individual” but rather as part of an ecology of relationships. Within this ecology, he helps the leader feel heard, gain clarity, take action, build confidence and thrive all in service of something bigger.
How Might Tom Help?
My first invitation is to take maximum advantage of the free content on this site.
- As you are reading this, you are clearly on a fascinating journey. If you feel you would benefit from us doing some work together on some aspect of your journey, please explore this page: How Can I Serve?
- I also endeavour to answer every email so if you have any queries do reach out.
