January 2009
Seizing ‘09 Opportunities & Transforming Panic into Purpose
I want to wish you a very happy and transformational New Year!
I am excited to announce a bevy of additional personal and professional coaching services to help you seize the opportunities of what I’m calling the New Paradigm—the massive economic, political, technological, and social changes occurring right now. The New Paradigm is opening up a multitude of opportunities for each of us to more fully live our purpose and make a bigger impact.
Sending lots of good energy for a wonderful 2009!
Cathy Wasserman, LMSW
What’s so new about the New Paradigm?
Well, for one thing, we have seen that just about anything is possible. Who would have thought that Wall Street would crash in quite the way that it has? That, so soon after the new millennium, we would elect an African American President and have a woman come close to being President? Or have a President who has named his website change.gov and is asking citizens for their ideas?
Indeed, a major increase in the flow of ideas, not just information, is a key defining feature of the New Paradigm. We also have an absolutely unprecedented level of immediate and widespread connection—of people to ideas, other people, institutions, etc. With this interconnectedness has come an increasingly leveled playing field, not only with the colossal economic shifts we are seeing, but also with more individuals, no matter their background, being recognized. Here’s how Dan Pink described this shift in his important book, A Whole New Mind:
A seismic shift [is] now under way in much of the advanced world. We are moving from an economy and a society built on the logical, linear, computerlike capabilities of the Information Age to an economy and a society built on the inventive, empathic, big-picture capabilities of what’s rising in its place, the Conceptual Age.
In effect, Pink is saying that we have moved into an era where creativity, ideas, relationships and connections of all kinds are our cultural, and even, economic gasoline. I would add that we have not only entered the Conceptual Age, but a kind of veil has been lifted—both our challenges and our opportunities are out on the table in a way that they never have been before. Being able to see them clearly, even if we do not yet fully know how to transform them is a critical step, offering us all many possibilities for innovation and growth.
If things are so good, then why does so much feel so shaky?
Picture a kitchen where a very creative chef is cooking. Ingredients are spread out everywhere; pots and pans line the counter. The chef is trying to create a masterpiece, experimenting with hundreds of spices in her cabinets, but nothing creates the perfect taste. She decides to take a break, calls up a friend who tells her all about her trip to Morocco and the delicious food she ate there. After months of feeling stuck, she yells out, “That’s it!” and rushes off to buy the spice, finally creating her masterpiece—a totally new combination of ingredients. Right now, we’re in that kitchen, in the middle of the mess. Some things look quite challenging, but there really is enormous opportunity beneath all of the clutter IF we can move through the panic that change brings up and have the patience, focus, and openness to experiment with assembling the right ingredients and making new connections to live our purpose. Easier said than done, right?!
Transforming Panic into Purpose
Panic and fear, and their more subtle relatives, uncertainty and doubt are very important and useful emotions that are full of momentum. When managed effectively, they can act as catapults toward your goals and fertile ground for new ideas and directions. The trick is to acknowledge them and invite them to serve your personal and professional growth rather than to resist or deny them. In order to seize the massive opportunities of the New Paradigm, it’s crucial to transform these emotions and put them to work for you! I work with individuals in building an array of tangible skills to do just that, along with better accessing your creativity and identifying and sharing your unique ideas, gifts, passions and purpose. Welcome to the New Paradigm—the sky’s the limit!
Contact me at cathy@self-leadershipstrategies.com or 718-369-6980 to learn more.
