Many times in our lives we think that we stuck in situations that have very limited options.
For example, win/lose situations. What will I win or what will I lose if I do X?
Limited options is a state of mind. We think that we have only two possible paths, but when we see it better and change our mentality we will realize that there are more ways to see things in our lives.
Let’s say I want to do something. Maybe it is a business/career thing, maybe a relationship/personal decision. Most of the people will start to think advantages and disadvantages or in other words what will they win or what will they lose. But, are these two the only options available? See that chart below.
Actually, there are four ways to see things. Some call it tetralemma, instead of the regular dilemma. There could be cases that we miss important aspects by not going through all these four quadrants. This may cause anxiety and uncertainty over a decision or it could lead to a decision that it is not in accordance with core values of the person.
Let’s say for example that one wants to lose weight. If he does lose weight he wins health, if he doesn’t lose weight he will miss on some nice clothes. This fellow only covered two quadrants ( 1 and 3 ). Now he goes through the remaining two. What will he lose if he loses weight and what will he win if he doesn’t lose weight? If he realizes that with weight loss might come friend loss and if he doesn’t lose weight he will continue on a certain lifestyle that finds it very pleasurable, then he may rethink his decision to lose weight or rethink his strategy, because it will be way harder than he initially has thought.
Some might think that we just play with words and I will agree. Being an NLP Master Practitioner I have studied how language affects our thought process and actions and I have verified how a small change in words can change the world in humans. So don't underestimate a small ( or big ) play on words. This technique was inspired by Cartesian Coordinates and it is part of the chapter of quantum linguistics. It could be sometimes little tricky to find the right wording of each quadrant, but when you find it, then you will shed light on possibilities or choices that you may not have thought otherwise.
And in the end, one can try it and see how it goes. As we say in NLP ( and many others say it as well, it is not exclusive to NLP ) no failure, only feedback.
So, if you have important decisions to make, use this chart and hopefully, you will reach a better decision. A decision that explored more choices and a decision that checked with your inner values and goals.
Be Healthy, Smile and Steem On!!!