The Structure of Reality
What is Reality? Why is it that
some people see something as possible (within their reality) and others totally
discount it?
When I work with people or Businesses, the secret is to create and excel in your personal and business vision, this is the first step to understanding everyone's Reality. My purpose in life is to support as many people and businesses as I can to create a new world within the communities we live in around the world.
" Do you have a Personal Vision"?
Tomorrow I am with Scottish Youth Minister in Scottish Parliament outlining my reality in innovation in supporting the youth of today which will create the leaders of the tomorrow. Understanding everyone's reality is crucial to this meeting at Scottish Parliament tomorrow. For 25 years I have spent time understanding Global excellence by learning from Global companies to psychologists and professors around the world, which supports me in my work to this day, development and knowledge is never ending, its just a way of life.
So....
Your Perception of the World is
Your Reality
How we filter information
based on our beliefs, values, memories, meta programs, etc. As a result of this
filtering, we have a perception of the world that we call reality. There is a
saying: “If you wish to change your life, first you must change the way you
perceive your life.”
To get a better understanding
of reality and how it affects our lives, consider the following: Suppose the
circle in Figure 1, represents all possible knowledge - all that has been
discovered and all that will be discovered. One piece of this circle represents
‘What you know you know’ -- you know your name, where you live, etc. Another
piece of the circle represents ‘What you know you don’t know’ -- you know there
is something called scuba diving, but you do not know any of the details or how
to do it. These two pieces represent what you call reality (or your perception
of reality). The rest of the circle is ‘What you don’t know you don’t know’ and
is, at this time, outside of your perception (reality). Because it is not part
of your awareness or reality, this does not mean that it does not have an
effect on your life. For example, until I tell you, are you aware that you have
a new stomach lining every five days (Deepak Chopra)?
Figure
1: Your Reality and Stepping Outside of It
The Larger Your Reality, the
More Choices You Have in Life
A ‘Green Dot’ Moment
When my clients discover new things about themselves or explore their beliefs and
values, sometimes they find themselves fearful, confused, apprehensive,
anxious, … . I point out to them that this is a good thing, as it means they
are exploring new aspects of themselves - how can they be fearful, confused,
apprehensive, anxious, … about something they already know! As they become more
comfortable exploring who they are and trusting in themselves, it is common to
hear them say “I am having a green dot moment” or “Wow! I just had a green dot
moment and learned something very valuable about myself or how I perceive the
world”.
The next time you feel fearful,
confused, apprehensive, anxious, …; first make sure you are safe, then
breathing deep (often we tend to hold our breath at times like this, which only
makes the situation feel worse) explore what this is all about. Just maybe you
will discover new insights about who you are, your beliefs and values, your
strategies for achieving what you want in life or how you can handle that
everyday situation differently and achieve a different more desired result.
Appreciating Another Person’s
Reality
Assume that you and I grew up
in different cultures with different religions, with different beliefs and
values and for argument sake have totally different perceptions of the world.
This is illustrated in the extreme in Figure 2. What is the potential for us to
agree and work together? If we both hold fast to our beliefs, values, etc. and
are not willing to explore new ideas (ever meet anyone like that?), then I am
sure that we would be continuously disagreeing - and how much fun is that? On
the other hand, what would happen if you decided to explore my reality -you
don’t have to agree with me, only appreciate and respect that I can have
different beliefs, values, etc. than you and avoid judging which of our
beliefs/values is right or wrong? At first you may find my reality confusing (a
'green dot' moment), however, if you were to continue to explore my reality,
then you have the potential to expand your reality (more choice in your life),
assist me in being more tolerant of your reality and open up the possibility
for us to improve our communication with each other.
In being flexible in your
approach (being able to explore ideas outside of your reality), you have the
potential of creating much more for yourself and assist others at the same
time. Is this not what is meant by organizational experts who say we should
encourage diversity in the workplace?
Figure
2: Appreciating Different Realities
How would your life and the
results you are achieving in your life be different, if you were to accept that
members of your family, co-workers or neighbours see the world differently than
you (have a different reality)? All you need to do is chose to be inquisitive
and appreciate their different perspectives.
What You Don't Know You Know
Looking at Figure 1, you may
realize there is another part to the circle ‘What you don't know you know’.
This can have many interpretations. For example: Memories that you have chosen
not to remember, or children who are culturally conditioned to take on certain
roles and not others (boys are to follow in the footsteps of their fathers or
young girls are told they can not do mathematics or be engineers or airline
pilots, …). What impact does this have on your reality and choices in life?
Innovation is Exploring ‘What
you Don’t Know You Don’t Know’
Finally, let’s talk briefly
about innovation. This can be your own personal innovation, innovation in the
workplace or within society. Referring to Figure 1, where will the innovative
new ideas come from? From ‘what we already know we know’?-No! From ‘what we
know we don’t know’? - Some potential for small advances. Or from stepping into
‘what we don’t know we don’t know’ or 'what we don't know we know'? - Yes, this
is where the opportunity lies for big breakthroughs!
My Coaching programmes assists people to expand
their reality in a safe and respectful way.
For more information on supporting you with Personal Vision or Business Vision, please visit www.steviekidd.co.uk or email stevie@steviekidd.co.uk
