The 'Aha' Moment!
Rajesh Gangwani
Executive & Leadership Communication Coach | My work lies at the intersection of leadership and communication. I enable senior and emerging leaders to leverage the power of their presence to create influence and impact.
As we began our coaching conversation, I asked the client what would a successful outcome of our conversation look like. His answer was simple-that he should feel an ‘aha’ moment and that would be it!
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an 'Aha moment' as “a moment of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition or comprehension”. This particular definition allows a broad interpretation of what constitutes an ‘aha’ moment – a sudden opening of possibilities, a spark of creativity, a flash breakthrough solution of a vexing problem or spontaneous bubbling of clarity for decision making.
An event or experience of epiphany that could be game changing or even life changing. A close cousin perhaps of the famed ‘Eureka’ moment!
As someone who has spent time in the advertising business, the word ‘insight’ conjures up the same associations. A strategic insight that presents a ‘not-so -obvious’ perspective of the consumer truth or a ‘creative insight’ that unlocks imaginative creative ideas. Intellect and Intuition colliding for a ‘thing’ to appear unannounced almost magically!
The embodied feeling being a faster heartbeat, gooseflesh sensation, a sudden adrenaline rush and sometimes unbridled euphoria. If you felt the ‘aha’ you knew that you were on to something powerful.
What was intriguing to discover was that the credit for giving popular currency to the ‘aha’ moment belonged to none other than Oprah Winfrey! It became a signature catchphrase of sorts on her popular show and magazine. This quote from Oprah brings it alive nicely, “The thing about an aha moment is you think you’ve never thought of it that way before … But you can’t have an ‘aha’ unless you already know it. So, the ‘aha’ is the remembering of what you already knew, articulated in away to resonate with your own truth”.
This was interesting! The thought that the real truth is never entirely new to you. It is as Oprah says, ‘something that is buried or suppressed deep within’. It is the recognition and realization of this hidden innate truth that defines the ‘aha’ moment.
It is the triggering of the subconscious and rekindling of embedded memory so that it all begins to make sense. Almost like all pieces of the puzzle falling in place. In a moment.
Can one create ‘aha’ moments or wait for serendipitous inspiration to strike on it's own? Studies show that there are ways in which we can foster conditions to stimulate such moments. David Rock and Josh Davis write in an HBR article that “Brilliant, unexpected solutions are sparked by ‘aha’ moments that tend to crop up when our minds are quiet and our consciousness is at rest. So, the trick it to create space for moments of silence and inaction for ‘aha’ moments to kick in. Space even in the physical sense by creating your own personal shrine or oasis.
Reflection, solitude and spending time with one oneself in quietness can trigger them.
The other approach paradoxically is to allow the mind to ‘wander’ and create distance from the task at hand. Unplug from the problem or decision you are grappling with and engage in disconnected activities or rituals. Gaze into the sunset, meditate, listen to music, enjoy nature walks or just do nothing! Extra rigour beyond a point may not yield the breakthroughs. Taking a break from the process may turn out to be the smarter effort!
Relax. Chill. Let it flow. And witness the sparks as the dots connect unconsciously!
Back to the coaching conversation, I began this post with. Coaching is a process where the coach triggers this reconnection with the awareness within. Aided by powerful questions that provoke soul searching for the client. To experience the ‘aha’ moment for themselves. And discover the solution on their own. My client did, just in case you were curious!
Curious to know, what will help you get those ‘aha’ moments?
#coaching #coach #leadership #personaldevelopment #creativity #insight #unconscious #problemsolving #psychology #inspiration
Ajudo coaches, consultores, mentores e pequenos empresários. Juntos, criamos sistemas de vendas inteligentes. Diariamente, geramos potenciais clientes qualificados. Tudo isso com menos esfor?o e mais previsibilidade.
3 年Great, Rajesh :)
Professor of Marketing & Retailing, Writer, Corporate Trainer, Consultant, Mumbai, India
3 年I couldn't resist saying Aha after reading your article Rajesh. Well pondered article.
Behavioral trainer | Astrology guide | Wrist watch therapist | Energy Healer
4 年Very nicely put perspectives. As per me Aha moment is also created when someone expands / extends my existing knowledge.? In a recent program I was blessed to create the Aha moment for the participants. It was only due to the fact that extension and expansion of existing knowledge happened but I concur with the fact that sometimes it's recall of existing knowledge and unlocking of unknown too, as quoted in the article . Thanks for the article.? Regards
Emotional Intelligence Practitioner l Therapist l NLP Master Practitioner l Speaker l Empowerment Coach | Transactional Analysis Practitioner. 1000+ Business Leaders, Corporates & Individuals have been benefited.
4 年Beautiful 'Aha' article Rajesh Gangwani sir
Category Head - Consumer Adhesives
4 年Excellent Article! It is indeed such an exciting and rewarding experience when you get that 'aha' moment. Once you see it, it feels so obvious, that you can never un-see it! Typically for me, this is during the journeys after field visits and consumer interactions!