How to open your mind to more possibilities
This is one of my favourite topics to work on in coaching, opening your mind to more possibilities. It might seem obvious for coaching but it’s amazing how small we actually think. When you think big and I mean really big, you start to see the possibilities that are available to you. These are not wishes, these are just visions of what or could be.
Why should you open your mind to more possibilities?
We’re all conditioned to think a certain way and to a certain extent. This conditioning is often due to our childhood experiences and our early role models. For instance, if your parents were the “work hard and pay your bills” type, your thinking as an adult will be limited to that. If you had teachers who said you can do and be anything you want, your thinking will be more dynamic.
It’s never too late to cultivate thinking big. If you want to open your mind to more possibilities, this is within your reach. You have to be willing to stretch you imagination to its limits and not focus on how you’ll achieve everything you see.
We can get too caught up in the “how” and this is what stops you from being all that you can be.
When can you open your mind to more possibilities?
You can open your mind to more possibilities in every area of your life. Remember to be willing to be open and not to focus on “how” you can achieve those things.
Perhaps you have goals for yourself but your thinking is limited to what you already know? So in order to be more open, you have to do things differently.
The following list gives examples of when you can open your mind to more possibilities so if you think that there’s more to life, here are some ways you can explore more possibilities for yourself:
1. EXPLORE A BOOK STORE AND GET A BOOK THAT’S DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU USUALLY READ
Bookstores hold the ultimate amount of possibilities. There are an endless amount of things you can learn, places you can go, characters you can meet, and whole new worlds to open up to you.
2. TAKE A WALK ON YOUR LUNCH BREAK WITH NO PREDETERMINED DESTINATION
You’d be surprised by the things you will see that you don’t usually notice while you’re driving. Maybe you’ll find a new lunch spot or have an adventure. If not, at least you’ll get some fresh air.
3. GO TO A NETWORKING EVENT
Aim to talk to at least three new people. Even if you don’t meet someone who can provide you with a new opportunity right then and there, expanding your network usually leads to new opportunities in the future.
4. EXPLORE AN AREA OF YOUR CITY OR JUST OUTSIDE YOUR CITY THAT YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO
Seeing new things is all about looking at life with a fresh perspective, but going to a new place to have new landscapes to look upon never hurts!
5. TALK TO SOMEONE WHILE YOU’RE WAITING IN LINE
You don’t need to wait for a specific event to network.
6. EAT A NEW FOOD EVERY DAY FOR A WEEK
Or figure out a new way to prepare a food you usually eat every day for a week.
7. GO SOMEWHERE TO PEOPLE WATCH
You’ll be surprised at the things you can learn and the ideas it will help you come up with.
8. LET GO OF A GRUDGE
How amazing it will feel to be a little bit lighter and open yourself to positive energy.
9. DO SOMETHING YOU THINK YOU CAN’T DO
Maybe you are braver than you think. Challenging your beliefs will open up the possibility of new ideas.
10. TAKE A WEEKEND TRIP
How much fun and relaxation can you fit in two days?
10 more tips to help you open up to more possibilities
11. WAKE UP AN HOUR EARLIER AND DO WHATEVER YOU WANT
What will you do with your newfound time?
PS. Put away your to-do list. This is YOUR time, do something you feel like. Anything. Whether that’s writing a mystery book, sitting quietly to sip a cup of tea, or watching mindless reality television. It’s your hour.
12. GO SOMEWHERE THAT INSPIRES YOU. JUST SIT. DO WHATEVER YOU LIKE
For me that place is the beach.
13. CREATE A LIST OF SMALL CHANGES AND TACKLE ONE A DAY OR EVEN ONE A WEEK
Life is built by the small things we do. Accumulate small things to build your dream life.
14. ASK TO JOIN A PROJECT AT WORK THAT’S OUTSIDE YOUR USUAL DEPARTMENT
You will learn new things, meet new people, maybe even re-discover your passion for your job.
15. TAP INTO YOUR INNER ARTIST AND PAINT, TAKE SOME PICTURES, DANCE…
Maybe you’ll discover a hidden talent or just relieve some stress.
16. JOIN A GROUP TO DO ACTIVITIES THAT INTEREST YOU, LIKE MEETUP.COM. EVEN IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH FRIENDS!
You’ll spend time doing something you enjoy and at the same time get out of your comfort zone, meet new people, and be exposed to new things.
17. LEARN A NEW SKILL
It’s exciting to be able to do something new and opens up so many possibilities and ideas of things you can do.
18. EAT A TINY DESSERT
Small enough to really savor every bite and small enough not to feel guilty about.
19. BREAK A BAD HABIT
What positive habits can you place your time and energy on?
20. DO SOMETHING THAT YOU FIND SCARY
You might find out that you’re braver than you thought.
Bonus tip
21. DO SOMETHING ALONE
It’s liberating to enjoy your own company. Once you learn to love it, you’ll never have to wait for anyone else ever again to do something you want to do. Plus you notice so much more of what’s going on around you when you’re alone.
I’m Puja McClymont. I specialise in coaching senior leaders who make an impact to help them expand the possibilities of their potential, creating further growth and meaningful impact.
Through my distinctive approach which combines ancient wisdom with modern psychology, clients enable every facet of their lives to thrive, creating extraordinary outcomes.
