Ask Yourself, “What if…”

Sometimes all you need is a change in perspective.

You know what I’m talking about. That moment when you say, “Huh! I never looked at it that way before,” – and suddenly, a new possibility has opened up where – just moments before – all you saw before you was a brick wall.

A change in perspective can be liberating. It can be transformative. And it can be easier to achieve than you might think.

I had the opportunity to hear motivational speaker, Mike Rayburn, present at a convention a few weeks ago. YAWN!!!! “Yet another ‘thought leader’ to urge us to live our passion,” I brooded. Boy! Was I mistaken! Mike Rayburn’s presentation alternated between thought-provoking insights peppered with a musical virtuosity that kept the audience wondering, “what NEXT!?”

Mike explored the question – how does a problem transform in to an opportunity?

Among the many perspectives explored, one strategy has stuck with me, and I’ve been enjoying playing with the idea ever since.

Mike shared that when most of us think about change, we think of something new. But often, he pointed out, change emerges as a new twist on something old. Or, change can come about through the combination of two old things put together in a new way. What Mike is saying is that we don’t have to start from scratch; that often, everything we need to effect real and positive change, is already at our disposal. Central to effecting this kind of change, Mike offered, is asking the question, “What if…..”

If you want to witness for yourself how Mike Rayburn takes something old to create change, Google Mike Rayburn/Taylor Swift and prepare to be inspired!

Now, take that gnarly problem you’ve been wrestling with ask yourself, “What if…..?”

Susan Koppa McCLurg – Fund Development Director

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