Which makes me think, “Yes. But HOW?”
Most of us think “forbidden” thoughts all the time. But they’re not often the useful kind of forbidden thoughts. And “unthinkable” isn’t really a synonym for “forbidden.” Our culture (and our personal comfort zone) makes certain subjects “not for discussion in polite society,” or “unthinkable” in order to protect us from them. We’ve developed habits of mind that cut off those thoughts before we even become conscious of them.
So, if you want to learn to “think the unthinkable,” it’s going to have to be a conscious choice–and a conscious practice. There are dozens of techniques you can learn for doing this. I teach some of them in my “Wizard Leadership” talks and workshops. Here’s one of the simplest:
Think of something you think is true: “People buy our magic shows because they’re great entertainment.” OK…now think of the opposite, or reverse thought. That might come out as a simple negative” “People don’t buy our magic shows because they’re great entertainment.” If you can get yourself to believe that (just pretend)…it leads you to a whole series of other questions and thoughts: “Then why DO they buy our magic shows?” “What can we change about our entertaining magic shows to make more people interested in buying them?” I’m sure you can think of more.
Or, suppose we phrase the “opposite” statement differently: “People buy our magic shows even though they’re really awful.” Huh? Are they awful? What about them might be seen as “awful” in your audience’s views? Might they see them as cruel because you’re subjecting animals or assistants to things that make them uncomfortable? How about your language? Is there something in there audiences might find to be awful? If so, and they’re buying your show anyway…why? Are you the only show available? Do your buyers have a secret wish to torture their audiences?
I once went to a “Worst Films” festival in New York. They were showing things like “Plan Nine from Outer Space,” and the original “Little Shop of Horrors.” Terrible writing, terrible acting, special effects that looked like they were created by 5-year-olds. And we, the audience, loved every terrible minute. Who would have thought there could be a successful business created around reviving the world’s worst films? Someone not afraid to “think the unthinkable,” that’s who!
If you really want to change the world, you must be ready to really think thoughts that others do not. Whether they seem “forbidden” or just ridiculous. Think of Leonardo da Vinci, dissecting cadavers when it was “forbidden” in order to create the world’s first accurate text on anatomy (and some of the world’s greatest paintings). He dared to think (and do) what was unthinkable for others. Or Mohandas Gandhi, who with no political power or authority whatsoever, became the leader of the non-violent movement which removed British rule from his country…after hundreds of years of that rule, mostly hated by the Indian populace. He dared think and act in ways others would never consider…but which turned out to be immensely effective.
So…next time you’re confronted with an impossible problem, rephrase it as its opposite and think through all of the ways things could work out if that opposite phrasing were to prove itself true. You’ll probably find yourself thinking quite a few “unthinkable” thoughts…and some of them might just help you resolve that problem!
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