Authors, Explore the Practicality of the Abundant Spirit of Possibility Thinking
15 of 28 big ideas from the world of coaching to grow your author business
The fifteenth in a 28-part series on 28 big ideas from coaching for authors to coach themselves, adapted from my book, The Coach Within.“The possible’s slow fuse is lit by imagination.”
“The possible’s slow fuse is lit by imagination.”
— Emily Dickinson
“Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities — always see them, for they are always there.”
— Norman Vincent Peale
“Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.”
— J.K. Rowling
As so much of coaching is working with clients who want to open new doors and make new realities available to them, possibility thinking is a touchstone resource coaches and clients visit regularly in their work together. In the abundant spirit of possibility itself, possibility thinking has at least three possible dimensions, all readily accessible for your work with yourself:
First and fundamentally, there’s the sense of not whether or not something “is” possible or “if” it’s possible, but How is it possible? And, What would make that possible?
How can I sell 5,000 books this year and what do I have to do to make that happen?
Second is the facet of possibility thinking that encourages the pushing of boundaries on a single item of import to you — to the limits of your imagination, creativity (Big Idea #2), or desires. What all is possible here? When you’ve reached those edges, for good measure, ask yourself at least once or twice, What else is possible?
Now that I’m comfortable giving author programs to groups of 20–30 people, where can I go next? What else can I do as far as public events? How big of an audience can I present to?
Third, we have the strand of options generation. What possible moves are next? What possible choices do I have? This is moving beyond the false dichotomy of believing it’s just one thing or another. It’s even going beyond black, white, and that middling gray in between (three choices!). Instead, it’s becoming aware of the infinite gradations between two points on a scale as well as the universe of possible directions that are off the scale, in the matrix.
What are the possible options for growing my author business? Writing more books? Adding merchandise? Doing ticketed events? Setting up a multi-city author tour? Consulting? Coaching? Conference workshops?
If at first glance, you read possibility thinking as overly optimistic or a tad flighty, re-read the above from a pragmatic point of view: Possibility thinking as a solutions orientation not problem-oriented. It is unrepentantly positive…but grounded in practicality.
Coaching Yourself In Action
⎕ Pick three real-life situations on which you can practice applying each of the three styles with journal work. Use writing paired with possibility thinking to make better solutions more real.
⎕ For number one, recall an instance in which you recently told yourself something wasn’t possible for your author life. Revisit that with, How can it be possible for me?
⎕ For number two, choose an author goal that deserves further expansion and all the details your imagination and creativity can muster — think big and consider everything. Then, press on with What else?
⎕ For number three, where in your author business have you found yourself in need of better options recently? Tend to that matter with your best brainstorming. Focus not on solving anything but on generating as many options as possible. Free associate. Keep going. Go further..
Bundles of Love
I’ve recently created combo packages on my website so you can save money when you buy your preferred set of products together—products include One Hour Calls, digital and paperback books, and annual Substack subscriptions.
