Episode 102: The Lens of Possibility
On a new In Time, Peter and Robyne dispel the many myths of “positive thinking” and discuss how an optimistic lens can let us acknowledge reality while opening the door to optimum results. Plus, how to crack the nut of casual conversation.
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Show Notes
We cover many topics in this episode, including:
- Only pointing out the negatives in yourself is not ‘self-awareness’ - it’s just being mean and unfairly judgemental of yourself
- Evolutionarily we are more inclined to notice the negative as a means of survival, so we have to consciously decide to also notice the positive
- 'Appreciative Inquiry' is essentially positive curiosity - an invitation to look at life through a lens of possibility rather than just to fix problems
- Noticing the positive is not ‘ignoring problems’, it’s allowing the positive to eclipse the negative
- In an academic test, focusing on the percentage of information you know, rather than the percentage you don’t know, has shown to allow students to relax into the test, yielding better results
- The parts of the brain that are good at memory, recall, and critical thinking do not work well under stress, so starting off a test with breathing exercises and positive thinking can help you perform better
- Work ‘with' your anxiety rather than trying to ignore it
- When you’re stuck in a situation where you are expected to make casual conversation, try taking the direct situation you are in and ask a question related to it (ie. if you are at a dinner, you could ask ‘what was the most memorable dinner you’ve ever been to?’)
To be a self-aware person, I want to be able to hold spaciousness and audience for the whole picture, not just the parts of the picture that are wrong or need to be improved upon. – Robyne
Additional Resources:
- Conscious Leaders Quest
- Previous episode mentioned: Episode 101: Mindful Travel
- Your Time - Peter and Robyne’s asynchronous learning experience is now available! Please click the link to learn more.
Credits:
Hosted by Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe and Peter Katz
Produced by Trevor Campbell
Edited by Sean Ban Beaton
Theme song by Peter Katz
Podcast cover art by Trevor Campbell
Show logistics by Erin Marshall and Jenna Green
Connect:
Connect with Peter Peterkatz.com | Peterkatzspeaks.com
Connect with Robyne Drrobyne.ca
Follow Peter and Robyne on social media:
Peter Katz: Facebook: @peterkatzmusic | Instagram: @peterkatzmusic
Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe: Instagram: @dr_robynehd | Twitter: @dr_robynehd
*The information presented in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional if you require assistance.
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