Is linear thinking limiting you?

Sep 14th, 2011No Comments

Ever set rules for yourself on how to accomplish something? You say: first I need to do this, then I need to contact so and so, then I will be able to do this, which will allow me to complete that. These order of operations tend to follow a linear progression. They are rational and logical based on what we believe (and often assume) to be the reality of the situation.

So back to linear progression. We say, “I need to do A, B, C, D, etc. until I get to say H. The limitation of this is that life rarely unfolds linearly. You may go A, B and then have an opportunity to jump right to H. But we don’t allow ourselves to see H- because we are too busy looking for C. And maybe C ain’t ever gonna happen. So we are dead in the water. We give up and tell ourselves it was impossible.

Or… we may be trying to make a dynamic process static. Completing A, may change the progression and allow us to jump to F- or it may require us to go somewhere we were not even aware of when we set our original progression.

So reevaluate what you need to do next each step of the way. Be flexible and adaptable. And… be willing to challenge your preconceptions and assumptions. Ask, “Do I really need to talk to so and so before I go here?

Our inner consciousness (like life) is not bound by linear thinking. If we open ourselves to it, it will guide us through a non-linear progression that is highly effective. It will always present the next step to us if we are willing to listen.

But in order to do that, we have to get out of our head. Remember, our intellect with its logic and linear thinking is a tool to process things (like a computer)- it is not meant to steer the ship.

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About author:

Michael Hoffman’s passion is guiding people to connect with their natural gifts. He believes that we all have innate gifts that hugely benefit others and the world when we offer them. The purest example of these gifts is the Native American concept of medicine or the gift you offer your people. Michael defines your medicine or gift as the natural effect you have on other people when your heart is open. Unfortunately, the demands of our current culture to comply and fit in often distract people away from their inherent gifts and the natural expression of their being. Michael believes many of us have forgotten our dreams and what we are about. This sadly results in a loss of purpose, passion, and vitality. As an innate gift specialist, Michael offers retreats, classes, and individual sessions to allow people to reclaim their natural gifts. These venues allow people to identify, awaken, and offer their gifts. This experiential work incorporates Zen thought, Native American ceremony, rites-of-passage, and releasing limiting belief systems. Michael also maintains his meta blog to provide knowledge, skills, and awareness for unfolding your natural gifts. He is currently compiling this knowledge and research into a college class and book. Michael earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1987 and Master of Social Work in 1996. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. In addition to his formal education, Michael studied and apprenticed with a Zen Master and spiritual teacher for 22 years to learn how to guide people to understand themselves. He has worked with people professionally since 1986 as a psychotherapist and teacher. Michael currently resides in Oceanside, California.

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