And what else?

'And what else?’ is one of the most powerful phrases I know. Simple as thought it appears, this phrase is central to unleashing potential and opening up your thinking to new pathways and options in life. Once you personally are aware of a limiting situation or attitude, the longer the list of potential actions you can take to address it, the more choice and power you have over it. This little phrase is worth its weight in gold to help you. When confronted with a problem or challenge, most of us can usually come up with a list of possible options to reach a solution. We often look to the past for inspiration or ask a more experienced colleague how they would act if placed in a similar situation. While this approach may provide a workable solution, being ‘told’ the answer never has the same gravity or impact as coming to a realisation yourself. Others’ views and opinions come cheaply. And this is where ‘And what else?’ comes in. Once you think you have exhausted all your options, I challenge you to think up just a couple more. Being challenged to dig deeper forces you into creative space – the obvious and conventional routes are already covered. It’s time to throw away the rule book and ‘it’ll never work’ negative thoughts and just see what develops. You’ll be surprised! Today’s world demands an innovative approach. How many times have you been told to ‘think outside the square’? But how? Thinking ‘And what else?’ forces you outside the square - to stop and look afresh. Try it.

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"How to think outside the box can't be defined. It's the very act of doing it that makes it like a cloud -- ethereal and difficult to pin down. But it can be taught through exercise. Just as you've indicated, it takes stretching just a little more by coming up with one or two additional alternatives.

When the faults in one approach are seen (or even better experienced), it's time to take what has already been learned and extrapolate, even interpolate, to come up with modifications or alternatives.

Some situations simply aren't amenable to the rote answer.. That's so refreshing!



Thanks Yvonne. And isn't it hugely satisfying when you witness someone take that step into the unknown!


It's definitely satisfying because both of you realize they have stretched theirself a little more. Growth in a positive way is dizzying.
