There is a Polynesian saying that goes like this: “be careful, you may be on top of a whale, but fishing for small carp!”. The whale, in this case, signals the abundance of opportunities, resources and alternatives needed to create positive transformations. Small carp are the problems of our daily lives, whether in life or at work, that seem impossible to solve and generate a lot of resentment.
How is it possible then to change your mindset to focus on finding solutions instead of clinging to problems? Well, one of the most powerful tools for that is visual intelligence, the ability to see beyond what everyone else has seen and think about what no one else has thought.
To begin your journey, you need to replace haste with a sense of urgency. Many people who run after success are so rushed that they end up walking right through the “balconies” that would lead to it.
To solve impossible problems, you must enter a state of mindfulness and observe the dynamics and happenings around you. That’s because they can hold great answers to your afflictions.
Have you ever thought about the possibility that the resources you need are available but still ignored? Lastly, review your conception of what is useful and what is not. Visual intelligence allows the resignification and perception of these alternatives called “invisible assets”. Reflect for a moment on the amount of invisible assets that are waiting for you to discover and create innovations or generate results!
It was following these concepts that, without having money, medical assistance or donations, Brazilian retiree Zilda Arns created a model capable of ending infant mortality due to malnutrition and dehydration. The experience was successfully replicated in needy communities in several countries. She did this by identifying hitherto ignored invisible assets: eggshells, pumpkin seeds and cassava leaves.
These inputs that went to waste were roasted and crushed to form a nutrient-rich multimixture. All this at zero cost, working only with what was already available. Do you want to find more whales than carp on your way to success? So, put these guidelines into practice and seek to value your creative potential.
Remember: you are the best person to find solutions to your problems.
Alex Bonifácio is a business administrator, speaker and author of the book “Impossível – how to discover incredible opportunities to create transformations in life, in business and in the world”
