Three practices to shift to possibility when the status quo is no longer serving you

We have a federal government in Australia in my view stuck in inertia about most things. 

Of particular interest to me is their failure to establish a federal integrity commission. 

This is despite the fact that a bill introduced by Independent member Helen Haines is endorsed by the Centre for Public Integrity as the best model in the country.

I've a long held view (held lightly) that politics is part of the status quo that no longer serves us. I will not be voting for this government.

In my own life, and you in yours, we don't have to wait for election cycles or any cycle for that matter to shift to possibility when the status quo is no longer serving us.

Three practices I recommend:

1) Once a month think about inertia "a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged," and take immediate action

Are you guilty?

Were there moments in the past month where you did nothing and would have been better to do something?

Are there processes (includes policies, practices, procedures, structures and systems) that remain unchanged despite the fact that they don't mean its simple for people to bring everything they are to everything they do every day?

Think about this well worn yet often ignored adage:

The definition of stupidity is to expect different results by doing the same old thing.

2) Make after-action-reviews integral to everything you do

I recommend the following 5 stage format:

1) Review one action at a time and answer the following questions what happened and why? what did we learn, relearn, and unlearn? How can we be better, wiser and more valuable in applying these learnings? Who will we become? What will we do next?

2) Determine with your colleagues how your answers will be integrated with what is already working well for you.

3) Upgrade your individual, team and organisational plans and co-promises on a page accordingly.

4) Reflect new perceptions in appropriate standard operating procedures, policies and practices.

5) Upgrade learning and development materials.

3) Get serious about learning and development

I know from recent conversations that many people still tick boxes when it comes to training and learning and development. Many believe that the actual event (the seminar, course, or whatever) is the thing. It's not. The most important factors and what happens before and after the event.

Research in 2004 by Dr Brent Peterson proved that 26% of success happens before and 50% after an event. 

Should your actions not be in alignment with this evidence take immediate action today. If you'd like some help please give me a call. I've made this approach integral to my work for over a decade.

The lessons of the Covid pandemic are numerous. A stand out learning for me is that the status quo is no longer serving us across a myriad of areas. The good news is that in all areas where we have influence we can shift to possibility today.

According to quantum physics we live in a world of infinite possibility. Benjamin Zander shines a wonderful light on the art of possibility is this wonderful 14 minute video.

What's possible today for you?

Ian