Liminal Thinking

If you can change your mind, you can change your life.
—William James

If you give people facts without a story, they will explain it within their existing belief system. The best way to promote a new or different belief is not with facts, but with a story.

Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.
—William James

Many beliefs are embedded in habitual routines that run on autopilot. Disrupt the routine to create new possibilities.

Try to understand people’s hopes, dreams, and frustrations. Explore the social system and make connections to create new opportunities.

SCARF model, which I have found useful.
Status: Does this person feel important, recognized, or needed by others?
Certainty: Does this person feel confident that they know what’s ahead, and that they can predict the future with reasonable certainty?
Autonomy: Does this person feel like they have control of their life, their work, and their destiny?
Relatedness: Does this person feel like they belong? Do they feel a sense of relatedness? Do they trust the group to look after them?
Fairness: Does this person feel like they are being treated fairly? Do they feel that the “rules of the game” give them a fair chance?

You can’t learn new things without letting go of old things. Stop, look, and listen. Suspend judgment.

Lying to ourselves is more deeply ingrained than lying to others.

can’t change your governing beliefs without changing yourself.

If you want to change the world, change yourself.
—Tom Robbins