pos·si·bil·i·ty (pä-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē):
- a chance that something may happen or be true
- a thing that may be chosen or done out of several alternatives
- the state or fact of being likely or possible; likelihood
As an attorney, I was hesitant to use the word “possibility” when arguing a point or issue. Lawyers like to deal in certainty or at least probability, something more than the chance that some may happen or be true.
In coaching, however, I get to embrace possibility in all its definitions. Take definition 1, above. Have you ever been afraid to take action because you fear something may happen – you’ll lose money, lose respect, or even worse, you may FAIL. The possibility of what may happen creates a barrier. In coaching, you get to explore the barrier, discover new ways to look at it, and perhaps move from being afraid of it to feeling excited about different possibilities. What may happen is you’ll make money, you’ll gain respect, you’ll succeed.
Have you ever heard yourself use phrases like: I have to. This is just the way it is. I can’t . That’ll never happen. That’s a time when you’re feeling stuck – you just can’t see possibility. A good coach moves you past your beliefs through acknowledging where you are and inviting you to look at things differently. You might get asked, “If you change the way it is, what would that look like?” Through answering these types of questions, you get to find alternatives (see definition 2). And when you see alternatives, suddenly you have options to choose from and can move away from feeling stuck.
When you really embrace possibility, you move into definition 3: BEING POSSIBLE and seeing the LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS. You’ve removed barriers. You’ve discovered options. Now you can choose something different. When you choose, you act. When you act, you evolve.
Removing barriers. Finding options. Taking Action. Evolving. That is the power of possibility.
Megan Moore is the founder of Megan Moore, Inc., where she coaches and speaks to the power of the right question. Moore is a life-long strategic risk taker, with proven experience inspiring growth and change in others. Learn more at www.MeganMooreInc.com.
