Whenever I feel stuck, there’s a cool little exercise I do that helps un-stick me pretty quickly. I don’t always remember to do it, but when I do, it always works out for the best.
You can call this universal intelligence… you can call it giving yourself permission to expand your imagination… but whatever it is, it works.
So here’s what it is:
Whenever I feel like I can’t figure out what I should do in a situation, I have mental “conversations” with people I feel are really good at whatever I’m stuck on.
For example, yesterday on the train to NYC, I was thinking about a situation I’m in with someone I know. I’ve been feeling trapped around it.
I feel the person involved in this situation has wronged me, and it seems as if they refuse to take any accountability for it. Everyone I’ve talked to agrees that I have been way too lenient… but this person just doesn’t seem to budge.
I’d considered a lot of options around how to handle it, but because of my relationship with this person, everything felt like a lose/lose.
On the train, I decided to start “talking” to Einstein. I mentally acted like we were having a conversation and I asked him for his input on what he would do.
I got some really great ideas.
Then I decided to “talk” to even more people. I brought in people I respect, felt would have good input, and had already mastered what I was feeling stuck around.
I wanted the most well-rounded view possible.
I then mentally put everyone on an advisory board and asked them to come to a consensus on the best way I could handle my situation.
I was able to glean insight I hadn’t considered before.
In business terms, you can use this for many things:
– Are you feeling completely overwhelmed about something? Bring in someone who’s a productivity/efficiency/organization machine and ask how they would handle this.
– Want to figure out the best types of products to add to your funnel? “Talk” to someone you think is a master at this.
– Feeling discouraged? Bring in someone you think can tell you exactly what you need to hear to keep going.
I know this may sound a little “out there”… but if you’re able to try this with an open mind, I trust you’ll be very pleased with what happens.
If it makes you feel better, you could also think of it as a “What Would Jesus Do?” type thing.
:)
I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave me a comment and let me know. If you’ve tried this before, I’d love to hear your experiences… or if you decide to give it a whirl, I’d love to hear what happens for you!
Hi Rachel,
I’ve been meaning to read this post for awhile and only just got around to it. I’m glad I did.
It’s funny, but this is a concept I first heard about when I was reading blog post from The American Monk, Bert Goldman. Not sure if you’ve heard of him but he’s a pretty interesting character. His assertion was that Napoleon Hill used this technique, as did a few other “thought leaders” of old. I’ve always thought it was a great idea and have used it a few times myself when I was stumped or just felt the need to have a confab with a few brighter minds than my own. Besides, the more input the better, right?
Whether you label it as a “new age” concept or just an imaginative problem solving trick, you’re right, it does work! Quite well. I like to think that I’m tapping into the field, if you know what I mean, and I’ll bet you do.
Take care and thanks for your posts. I always get something good out of them.
Julie
Really good idea Rachael. I wonder how many people have done this with a religious figure in their life? Those brought up with a strong faith have probably used this technique to get advice from a “higher being”.
Personally, I have found asking other people for answers you cant find yourself rarely works. Looking at a problem from many angles over time, seems to work for me.
Even alternating which side of the desk I sit on sometimes works.
Me as the employee, me as the Manager. Me as the borrower, me as the lender.
Will try your suggestion. It might even work!
Enjoy your day.
Thanks for reminding me of this technique, Rachel. Like a couple of other commenters have said, I first read about it in Think and Grow Rich. I would dearly love to have this technique at my disposal, trouble is, I’ve never been able to get anywhere with it!
Hill describes imagining his ’invisible councillors’ to the point where (after some months) they took on a life of their own.
Is this what you’re describing? That when you’re taking with Einstein, his words are completely spontaneous and independent of you? (Which of course, in reality, is your unconscious mind talking to you).
I’ve tried this and have never been able to reach the point where my ‘advisors’ speak independently of me. How do you reach that point? Is it a question of relaxation? There must be some kind of knack to it. Can you explain a bit more about the exact process you go through?
Many thanks.
Simon.
I remember reading about this technique in Napoleon Hill's "Think And Grow Rich" a long time ago, but I have to admit that I never actually implemented it. I will give it a try now and see how it feels. I can imagine that it must feel pretty good to be in such illustrious company:)
I use to think I was the smartest guy with the best brain…til I realized who was telling me this. Now, I talk to the lord… but I'll give him a break and talk to Einstein, Mark Twain, Abe. I'm sure The lord will be pleased Thanks for this great post.
Thanks Rachel,
You mentioned “what would Jesus do” He is the one I run to every time I get stuck (which seems to be a lot lately). He knows it all. He just got me unstuck this morning and I feel so much better now and I have a plan! My day is going to be productive now. Thanks for this post and your insight.
It takes RACHEL to bring up something like this! What a wonderful version of consulting with
spiritual energy…used to do it much more often and you reminded me of the great benefits
coupled with a good feeling of self confidence about my decisions. Thanks, Rachel.
A great technique, I learnt this on my MBA course but like many things had forgotten all about it. I’ll now get ready to create my own – who shall I choose?
I LOVE it. This sort of stuff already works well for me.
But I will need to try this specific one in some specific situations…
I love it.
Great reminder of this “virtual board room” practice, Rachel – love it, and as always, how you share your insights. Think we may incorporate this into our Five Energies work (e.g. Steve Jobs was a great mixture of Wood and Metal energy, which is why those great products are the epitome of Zen design).
Best wishes from Scotland,
Matthew
P.S. Love your new blog look – that that fab tagline: “… Your Soul Will Sing…” Oh, yeah… :-)
Rachel,
Thanks for sharing this! I can totally relate to this idea and will definitely tap into the possibilities that it presents.
I can see creating several different “board rooms” for various functions – Brainstorming and “motivation” in particular! I can see the possibility of tapping into “real” people (living or “dead”) as well as fictional characters who bring specific skills and gifts. I can also see having various archetypes who epitomize the strengths you’re wanting to embody join the group. Then there’s the whole realm of the “metaphysical” and “higher self” to dialog with too. And don’t forget the gifts of understanding that can be gained from dialoging with your “inner child,” and your “shadow side” because they have a different perspective to share. And sometimes by gaining an understanding of what they want or need you can move forward more quickly with a solution that satisfies many aspects of you!
Thanks for sharing and reminding me of the value inherent in this approach!
Brad
Great to see you are all settled in NYC!
A little bit of a twist on a TED talk I listened to 15 minutes ago by Sherry Turkle about communication and being connected. In essence, you are both advocating using solitude to find yourself and then you will have the ability to reach out to others, communicate more effectively, answer questions… whatever!
Serendipity? I don't believe in coincidences so it must mean I am to add "board members" to my discussions: my barn is full of amazing listeners but their feedback is limited.
Thanks for sharing! Happy "Day 7".
Hi Rachel,
This is SUCH a good technique… and I'd forgotten how effective it can be!
Funny thing is, I used a variation of this to come up with a whole bucketload of ideas for a project I was working on this weekend. And just in time, your suggestion arrives to remind me how to bring it all together. So, thanks.
Now I'll simply add another personality to my go-to list of advisors — "What would Rachel do?"
;o)
Best,
Anthony Merizzi
Hi Rachel,
This is SUCH a good technique… and I'd forgotten how effective it can be!
Funny thing is, I used a variation of this to come up with a whole bucketload of ideas for a project I was working on this weekend. And just in time, your suggestion arrives to remind me how to bring it all together. So, thanks.
Now I'll simply add another personality to my go-to list of advisors — "What would Rachel do?"
;o)
Best,
Anthony Merizzi
LOL, thanks for the smile! ;)
Hi Rachel,
This is such a great technique! And it’s so weird that you used the word ‘stuck’, because it is exactly the word that I ended up using to describe the situation I (eventually) realised I was in.
I ended up creating a ‘virtual boardroom’ of people with whom I could discuss whatever situation I needed help with. I ‘hand picked’ people who are or were the very best at what they do and gave them specific roles.
I didn’t end up having Einstein on my board, but I did select Steve Jobs as Head of Product Development, and even picked one character from fiction … I just couldn’t resist having Moneypenny as my PA as I really need someone to organise me :)
Mark.
HAHAHA!! I love it!! That’s hilarious. :)