This Experiment Could Change Your Life
Today, let's do a couple of experiments. I'll go first.
Yesterday, in my Mountain Minute newsletter, I wrote an article headlined You're Much More Creative Than You Know.
Later in the day, I led a virtual gathering of my Bend Reality community, and used my friend Ayse (Eye-Shay) Birsel 's Deconstruct: Reconstruct approach to try to explain the benefits of deconstructing certain aspects of your belief system and then putting them back together again.
The example I used was: if you write an article in English, then ask someone to translate it into Spanish, then ask someone else to translate the Spanish version into English... you will end up with a different article than the one you wrote.
To demonstrate, here are the first few paragraphs of yesterday's newsletter compared to an English translation of the Spanish version. The changes are in purple:
They are similar, but not identical. Of course, you and your beliefs are far more complex than my article.
The mere process of taking apart any one of your beliefs will alter the way in which you move through the world.
Now, it's your turn.
Pick any important belief that you hold strongly. Write it down. Use about 100 words.
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To paraphrase Ayse, now map out the main building blocks of that belief, things such as when, where and how you formed it. Analyze the words you use to express it; can they vary significantly or must they be precise? Study when you use the belief. How does it fit in (or conflict) with your other values and behaviors? Continue to deconstruct each building block into smaller parts and pieces until you run out of things to note.
Then, note anything that surprised you. Literally highlight them.
Take a day or two to allow this all to sink in.
On the third day—without having your original belief statement in front of you—use about 100 words to write down your belief.
Is it different? Better? More accurate to where you really are at this point in your life?
I'll be very curious to hear how this experiment turns out for you.
One last point: when you pick a belief to deconstruct, pay special attention to any friction or resistance you encounter in your internal life. These are clues that there is great value to be gained from deconstructing what lies underneath.
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Here are ways that I can support you:
Chief Copywriting Officer & CEO of CaringMessenger Copywriting/Christ-Centered/Upside-Down Eternal Lens Leadership
2 个月I agree. Our perspectives, experiences, biases,and beliefs all can change our previously written words. But I believe there is absolute truth.
Buddhist Economist, The Lens to Find at The Truth amidst the Noise
2 个月You will be always refining your first idea and improvise it every visit you get there. That is how the Mother Nature build all of us and grew all the trees and stones and mountains and rivers. They were never like they were first created. We also should be reinventing ourselves day in year out. And we will come back many times better we are only few years before.
CEO at Sonic Artisan | Emerging Technologies Consultant SVP at Sonic Solutions | Professional Products Group
2 个月This is a fascinating concept, particularly in light of how belief systems tend to become increasingly rigid as we age—a static state of acculturation that filters out more sensory input over time. Our neural pathways, once well-trodden, are notoriously resistant to diversification. Practices like shoshin—the beginner’s mind—require significant and sustained effort to cultivate, yet the benefits are profound. I’ve employed similar techniques to challenge my perspectives, but I’ve noticed that my cognitive flexibility and memory retention are not what they were even a decade ago. I also do a mantra meditation (TM) which studies suggest can enliven neuroplasticity. I’ve been working on a blog piece about this for some time. It’s almost complete. Bilateral stimulation, right brain creative visualization may also be helpful. Your approach is intriguing, and I’m eager to explore it further. Remaining teachable and developing the capacity to hold multiple perspectives without prematurely adopting them as beliefs is vital—for critical thinking and also for preventing the mental stagnation that accelerates with age, particularly after 50 or 60. This is a skill worth honing, I appreciate your insights into how to cultivate it effectively.
Co-Founder + Creative Director | Fast Company Most Creative People
2 个月Deconstruction helps us see what something is made up: the smaller parts. Those smaller parts are easier to deal with. You can connect them in different ways, delete some, add new ones. You can be creative in how you put it back together, which is the Reconstruction part. Bruce thank you for the shout out! Ayse
Creating Opportunities for Greatness—Removing barriers so others can perform at their best. | Print Production Mgr | Owner, Flying Button Design | Chair of UW Campus Supervisors Network | BizCatalyst360 Contributor
2 个月I talk with staff members about unthinking what we know to improve or recreate new processes in our production environment at the UW print shop. This experiment reminded me of that concept, and it's worth playing with some. Thanks for the article, Bruce Kasanoff!