Earlier in life and my career, I was trained as a credit risk analyst.

This involved me doing detailed financial and non-financial analysis of loan requests and business plans from companies who wanted to borrow money.

As part of the assessment I would have to complete a pros and cons of the request, giving particular focus to the downsides and weakness of the plans and proposals.

It also involved thinking about “what if” scenarios and considering what the implications would be if the company did not achieve forecast income targets. This gave a better understanding of the inherent risks attached to providing the finance.

Years later I attended a keynote speech given by Benjamin Zander. This address opened my mind up to giving more emphasis to the possibilities and opportunities in life as well as the downsides.

Benjamin Zander is a famous conductor taught by Benjamin Britten in Aldeburgh Suffolk. He is the co-author of the book “The Art of Possibility” and at the time was the conductor of Boston Philharmonic Orchestra in the USA.

During the speech, Zander outlined a practice that he undertook with his students each year which he called “Giving an A” and was all about setting them up for success and getting them to think about what was possible.

He explained that each year 30 graduate students gathered in his musical performance class at the New England Conservatory.

He said that he announced to them at this gathering that each of them will get an A for the course.

However, a condition they had to fulfil to earn the grade was that sometime during the next two weeks,they had to write him a letter dated the following May. This note would begin with the words, Dear Mr Zander, I got an A because…

The letter would have to tell him in as much detail as possible, the story of what will have happened to them by the following May that enabled them to achieve the extraordinary grade.

How amazing would our personal and professional lives be if we become more balanced in our thinking and gave a little more attention to the possibilities in life?

What would the result be, if we were to give equal weight to possibility as well as what’s the worst thing that can happen?

What would the positive impact be if we spent a little more time encouraging our families and colleagues to think about possibility, success and achievement?

Imagine the positive influence setting people up for success and geared towards opportunity would have on the performance of teams and businesses. I hazard a guess it would lead to increased happiness and motivation levels which would have a positive bearing on relationships and improved customer service levels.

This week, why not spend a few moments to consider if you need to introduce more possibility thinking into your life?

What would some of the personal benefits be if you were to spend a little more time thinking about what is possible?

Quote for the week:

“Our aspirations are our possibilities” Dr Samuel Johnson

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk