Harnessing the Power of the Unknown: Move from Repeating the Past to Re-inventing the Future

The Unknown - it is scary territory for many, something to be avoided for others and shameful for those who feel they are supposed to know everything. What is your relationship with the Unknown? Take a moment to ponder it because your attitude towards and experience of this is what governs your ability to create, to innovate and truly bring more of yourself out into the world - in short to be successful. If you are going to create something new in your life ? in your career, your relationships and your creative endeavors you will be walking into unknown territory. Learning how to navigate this territory effectively and with power is what makes the difference between having a full, rich experience of life and work you enjoy, relishing the adventure of every day or living in frustration wondering why the same thing keeps occurring repeatedly.

Many of us have been taught to be afraid of what we don't know. It's threatening, "bad" things happen in the unknown, if you don't know the answer it means you are stupid. You have been taught over and over again that remaining with what you know will ensure your security and your success. But you can see repeatedly that this attitude gives birth to bigotry, prevents you from taking informed risks that could improve your life and often creates a life of boredom and fatigue.

In truth each moment is a new one. It is your habit of carrying the past forward that keeps you repeating the same old patterns both in business and in your personal lives. This is not to say that experience doesn't develop discrimination. It does and discrimination is a valuable tool for us. The question is when is it blocking you? I can't tell you how many times in working with clients they say some variation of the following ?

• Why even try a new approach, it will fail as it has in the past,

• Why risk a new relationship, it won't work out anyway,

• Why reach for the next level of success and challenge myself I am fine here.

But what I know is that if you are not moving into new territory, you are not being as truly alive as is possible and your businesses are not as creative and successful as they could be. You are holding yourself back from what is possible in your life and in your profession. And because of that you suffer personally and professionally. Unknown territory is the birthplace of all possibility, all real support and is a very exciting space in which to operate.

There are many things that keep us from exploring new territory: fear, lack of self-esteem or confidence, lack of support, and misuse of imagination are a few. This misuse of imagination is one of the trickiest to detect. Many people feel that imagination is the province of children and artists. That of course is true but each of you uses your imagination constantly; however, many of you don't recognize you are doing this. Every time you think you know what is going to happen you are using your imagination. Are you using it against yourself or for yourself and your goals? If you are imagining the repetition of the past you are using it negatively and not allowing a brand new thought, solution or step to emerge. When you walk into a business meeting and your anxiety rises you are using your imagination "knowing" you won't close the deal ? you are seeing the worst possible outcome. When you won't take a reasonable, calculated risk you are likely using negative imagination to keep you in the sphere of the known. You imagine you won't be safe in unk! nown territory. But the Unknown is the territory of possibility, creativity, your own real pathway and therefore success. Who really knows what will happen next?

One of the things that prevent you from experimenting with unknown territory is that you believe you won't be safe. Once again you use your imagination against yourself and your goals rather than accessing the resources that will support you in entering unknown territory. So how can you move into new territory safely?

Navigation: One of the premises I hold in working with clients is that we each have our own innate intelligence, our own North Star by which to navigate. Have you ever had the experience of just "knowing" that something was right for you? That is the action of your own innate intelligence, your own North Star. The more you can develop your contact with that innate knowing, even feeling it in your body the more you have a sextant with which to navigate the unknown. This connection is learnable. Using it you are able to sense and know the right move without accessing negative imagination. You become more agile in making accurate decisions.

Innate Talent: identifying, following and developing your own innate talent will always move you into new territory and if you are true to it will always lead you into safe territory. Some people awaken their innate talent in their current jobs and discover new levels of success; others wrap entirely new businesses around that talent. In either case, new success and fulfillment result.

Intention: In order to navigate safely you need to have a sense of where you are going, once more not based solely on the past but flexibly moving towards possibility. Developing a clear intention here that is in alignment with your talents and your values creates natural stepping-stones in this unknown landscape. They feel right! Setting a clear intention allows you to envision where you are going and when new opportunities arise you can recognize them as a possible steeping stones. Your positive, informed imagination aids you in finding the right next step.

Guidance and Support: Because we often have to move against our patterning and learning in this movement towards the new, it is useful to have a mentor or guide to help you discern when you are straying off your navigated course and moving back towards the past. The right guidance at the right moment can offer new tools, prevent you from being myopic and open your vision to a whole new horizon. It can also accelerate your progress.

I suggest that you spend at least a few moments in the busyness of your life to question what your relationship with the Unknown is really about. Do you relish it? Do you fear it? Do you ignore the richness that could be there for you? Do you repeatedly use negative imagination to hold you back to mistakenly "keep you safe"? Then take a look at some of the tools I have suggested that can assure a safe passage for you and honestly ask yourself how you are developing each of them. Who can aid you in scouting new territory for your personal and professional life? Develop those relationships- they are the invaluable ones!

You can excel in life and in business as you keep dynamically moving forward into new territory.

Connie Butler

The greatest danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark. (Michelangelo Buonarroti)

I have just happened on a book that describes much of my approach in working with people. It has been heartening and inspiring for me to read his words. The book is Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity by David Whyte. Pick it up I assure you it will enliven all that you do.

Copyright 2004 ConnieButler.biz All rights reserved.

About The Author

Connie Butler is a personal and professional coach working with individuals and groups to clarify their greatest vision and cultivate its successful realization ? moving them past their growth frontier into new territory. She is available for personal or professional coaching, seminars and can be reached at 305-534-1119 or mailto:connie@conniebutler.biz. Ms. Butler is a published author and radio personality.

connie@conniebutler.biz

In The News:

---

Google News Updated : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:08:49 GMT Prime Minister Chances Early Election in Canada - New York Times Prime Minister Chances Early Election in Canada New York Times - 1 hour ago By IAN AUSTEN OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper, putting aside the date he had set by law, formally propelled Canada into a federal election campaign on Sunday. Canadian PM calls October election Financial Times With economy slow, Canada to hold early elections Christian Science Monitor United Press International - AFP - Aljazeera.net - The Associated Press all 1,873 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:06:35 GMT Health Highlights: Sept. 6, 2008 - Washington Post TheMedGuru Health Highlights: Sept. 6, 2008 Washington Post - 9 hours ago On the heels of the huge nationwide salmonella outbreak that caused more than 1400 illnesses from Mexican peppers, a regional Oregon alfalfa sprout distributor has recalled its product in Oregon and Washington state after the sprouts were linked to 13 ... Salmonellosis outbreak prompts sprout recall Forbes Salmonella outbreak traced to alfalfa sprouts Seattle Post Intelligencer Seattle Times - eFluxMedia - TheMedGuru - HeraldNet all 81 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:31:13 GMT Falcons head coach: ‘Matt did a very good job’ - Atlanta Journal Constitution Canada.com Falcons head coach: ‘Matt did a very good job’ Atlanta Journal Constitution - 38 minutes ago By CARROLL ROGERS Q. How did the third play - the touchdown from Matt Ryan to Michael Jenkins - develop? New Falcons head coach Mike Smith said of Matt Ryan, ‘It was a great way to see our rookie quarterback throw his first NFL pass. In-game analysis of the Lions' loss in Atlanta Detroit Free Press Lions' poor tackling about talent, not coaching MLive.com Sports Network - The Canadian Press - DetNews.com - FanHouse all 475 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:30:18 GMT Cage's 'Bangkok' tops worst movie weekend since 2001 - USA Today E! Online Cage's 'Bangkok' tops worst movie weekend since 2001 USA Today - 9 hours ago By Scott Bowles, USA TODAY After a record $4.2 billion in movie ticket sales this summer, the industry suffered its worst weekend in seven years, with the top movie at the box office doing less than $8 million. Video: 'Bangkok Dangerous' - Not a Safe Bet AssociatedPress Fall box office off to slow start Variety New York Times - Los Angeles Times - Reuters - New York Daily News all 261 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:23:28 GMT Populists Gain Seats in Election in Hong Kong - New York Times Radio Australia Populists Gain Seats in Election in Hong Kong New York Times - 36 minutes ago By KEITH BRADSHER HONG KONG - Chinese national pride after the Olympics and growing distress over inflation combined to produce a leftward shift in legislative elections here on Sunday. Hong Kong Democrats Retain Veto Bloc in Legislative Elections Voice of America Key wins for Hong Kong opposition BBC News AFP - Aljazeera.net - International Herald Tribune - The Associated Press all 341 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:32:36 GMT Veteran Financiers to Head Fannie, Freddie - Washington Post Times Online Veteran Financiers to Head Fannie, Freddie Washington Post - 22 minutes ago By Thomas Heath and Dina ElBoghdady The new chief executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have long histories in the financial services industry. Video: Feds Take Over Mortgage Giants AssociatedPress FDIC to help small banks with Fannie, Freddie exposure MarketWatch Reuters - New York Times - Forbes - CNNMoney.com all 5,434 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:46:18 GMT Patriots overcome injury to Brady, top Chiefs - Sports Network CBC.ca Patriots overcome injury to Brady, top Chiefs Sports Network - 53 minutes ago Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - Randy Moss had six receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown as New England overcame an early injury to quarterback Tom Brady to escape Kansas City, 17-10, in the season-opener for both clubs at Gillette Stadium. Patriots QB Brady out of opener vs. Chiefs The Associated Press Cassel comes through for Patriots Boston Globe SportingNews.com - Reuters - ESPN - Newsday all 1,861 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:15:11 GMT Automate Your Blogging Add RSS Feeds to My Website

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

A Tribute to Edna

To the world you might be one person, but to... Read More

For Those Who Have Suffered!

As one who has suffered from the long, term effects... Read More

That One Thing That Guarantees Your Unlimited Motivation And Success

What can you do when you do not feel like... Read More

Boost Your Bottom Line by Asking Powerful Questions

"He who asks questions cannot avoid the answers." -African ProverbPowerful... Read More

Employee Motivation - The 8 Basics

Building a team of motivated people in your business is... Read More

Why You Dont Ned Motivation

As a life coach, I often hear people say they... Read More

Walking a New Road

(excerpted from the Take Charge of Your Life 6 CD... Read More

Self-Motivation for Trainers

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SELF-MOTIVATION FOR TRAINERS: Lack of self-motivation is... Read More

Resolution Revolution: 3 Tips For Creating Real Change in the New Year

'Tis the season once again for parties, champagne, noisemakers...and of... Read More

Are You Stuck?

You know the feeling.There's something you want to do. You've... Read More

Make Up Excuses Why You Can

We all have excuses as to why we can't do... Read More

Ending Procrastination

Perseverance is about as important to achievement as gasoline is... Read More

Seven Habits Of Ineffective People

For maximum effectiveness in life, love or business, it helps... Read More

Motivation: Good Luck or Bad Luck, Too Soon to Tell

As the story goes, there was once a farmer and... Read More

Dont Just Hope - Decide!

As the story goes, a single college-age guy went to... Read More

Facing Our Fears

'You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in... Read More

Make The Most Of Today

"Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at... Read More

Get Started! Do Something!

This is about getting started. Taking that first step. It... Read More

Mindfulness and Birthdays: Surprising Moments

The first week of May is a big birthday time... Read More

Motivation To Change, Why Is It So Hard?

We encounter constant changes throughout our life; it could be... Read More

Top 10 Tips For The Best Year of Your Life!

We typically think of New Year's as the time to... Read More

7 Tips For Lasting Motivation And Greater Success

Lasting motivation is possible once you adopt an outlook that... Read More

Letting Events Control Your Life ... Dropping The Negatives And Moving On!

It's interesting to note how we sometimes become so inundated... Read More

Struggling With Juggling

'The trick to juggling is determining which balls are made... Read More

Map to a Gold Mine - Could You, Would You?

If a total stranger came up to you and said:... Read More