Soulcraft was written by Bill Plotkin. It’s a book worth exploring as you find your purpose, that which leaves you feel abundant joy and inner peace. I take people on African Soul Quests and thought I’d share a few thoughts inspired by soul craft.The journey is less about 'finding' oneself and more about 'becoming' oneself. It's a lifelong process of unfolding and discovery.The soul isn’t something external to find; it's an essence to be experienced and embodied. This journey isn't a one-time event but a continuous process of growth and revelation.

The Journey to Soul

The rhythms and patterns in nature often reflect our inner rhythms and truths. When we align with nature, we align with our deeper selves.Many ancient cultures believed in the mirroring aspect of nature. The state of our internal world can often be seen reflected in our external environment, particularly in the natural world.

Nature as Mirror

Dreams are the language of the unconscious mind. They offer clues to unresolved issues and can guide us towards understanding our soul's intent.Delving into dream analysis can be like unraveling a mystery, where symbols and scenarios provide glimpses into our deeper psyche and its desires.

Dreamwork

Growth often involves discomfort. In facing our darkest moments, we shed what no longer serves us and emerge with greater clarity and purpose.Just as a seed must be buried in darkness before it sprouts, personal growth often necessitates traversing through our shadows.

The Dark Night of the Soul

Being in solitude within nature allows us to hear the subtle whispers of our soul without the noise of society.By stripping away external distractions, we're left with our raw, unfiltered selves, leading to profound personal insights.

Wilderness Solos

The world is filled with serendipities and synchronicities that can guide us closer to our soul’s calling if we're attentive.Keeping ourselves open and attentive to the world can lead us to profound connections and guideposts on our journey.

Soul Encounters

Myths aren’t just ancient stories; they are templates for understanding human experience and navigating life's challenges.Recognising personal life patterns within the framework of myth can give deeper meaning and guidance to our journey.

The Importance of Myth

Delving into our fears and subconscious mind can reveal hidden treasures of understanding and wisdom.By confronting our inner demons and shadows, we uncover insights that can fuel our personal transformation.

Descent to the Underworld

What we perceive as our greatest weaknesses or wounds can, with introspection and work, become sources of strength and compassion.By embracing and understanding our wounds, we not only heal but also gain a deeper empathy for others and a unique strength derived from our experiences.

Sacred Wound

Rituals help ground our experiences, marking significant events and transitions, and connecting us to something greater.Throughout history, rituals have been used to signify life stages, achievements, and transformations. They offer a structured way to honor and process our journey, bridging the material and the spiritual.

Ceremonial Art

Take all of these insights and then reflect on how you can make it your own. Once you’re done here, do something sacred to connect with your soul. Practice what Soul Craft means for you. Doing this isn’t just good for you, it’s good for humanity too. Shared in the spirit of ubuntu from Africa. 💫🙏🏽🫶🏽

Experiment 

These ideas about creating a world for yourself where we feel deeply connected to your soul’s calling. It’s soul craft. 

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

education

Learning & Education

communication

Communication

leadershipandmanagement

Leadership & Management

SoulCraft 

"Most people think change comes from the influencers. The big names. But our most influential innovators just spread ideas—they don’t transform them."Businesses often overemphasize the role of industry influencers. However, close relationships and tight-knit teams can drive deeper change.In business, it’s important to nurture both types of connections. While weak ties might bring novelty, strong ties foster trust and thorough adoption.

Weak ties vs. Strong ties

"For deep-rooted changes to take hold, multiple sources of reinforcement are often needed."A single exposure is often not enough to adopt a new innovation. Multiple reinforcing messages from different sources can be more persuasive.Businesses must ensure new ideas are communicated multiple times through various channels.

Complex Contagions

"Small, tight-knit groups can be catalysts for broader societal change."Change often starts with passionate, close-knit communities.Fostering such communities within a business can drive organic innovation.

Power of Small Groups

"By altering the structure of our networks, we can create a world that is more receptive to change."Intentional network changes can make environments more conducive to innovation.Businesses can be proactive about network-building to facilitate growth.

Strategic Network Interventions

”Redundancy in exposure can turn skepticism into belief."Repeated exposure to an idea from different sources increases its acceptance.Marketing or innovation campaigns should leverage redundancy.

The Role of Redundancy

"Being a contrarian is not about being different; it's about challenging the norm effectively."Contrarian beliefs can lead to unique innovations that differentiate businesses.Encourage different perspectives in your team for out-of-the-box thinking.

Contrarian Beliefs

"Every movement has its pioneers."Early adopters can serve as catalysts for broader acceptance of an innovation.Businesses should focus on identifying and nurturing early adopters.

The Importance of Early Adopters

”Resistance to change is a natural part of the change process."Expect and plan for resistance when introducing new ideas.Understanding resistance can help businesses refine their innovation strategies.

The Dynamics of Resistance

"Bridges between distant groups can be sources of innovative sparks."Connections across diverse groups can introduce novel ideas.mCultivate cross-departmental or cross-industry partnerships for innovation.

Cross-Cutting Ties

"The same seed grows differently in different soils."The success of an idea can be contingent on the environment.Ensure the business environment is receptive to innovation.

Role of Environment in Change

"Sometimes the quietest person in the room has the loudest impact."Leadership in change doesn't always come from the most obvious sources.Recognise and empower hidden influencers within the organisation.

The Myth of the Influential Leader

"Every change feeds back into the system, influencing future changes."The results of one change can set the stage for subsequent innovations.Continuous feedback is essential for iterative business growth.

"Everyone has a tipping point for adopting new behaviours."People have different thresholds for adopting new ideas.Tailor innovation strategies to meet varying adoption thresholds.

Thresholds of Adoption

"Innovations that resonate with existing cultures have a higher chance of adoption."Cultural fit can accelerate the acceptance of new ideas.Businesses should consider cultural alignment when innovating.

Importance of Cultural Compatibility

"Not every change succeeds, but every attempt paves the way."Failures can be learning opportunities and stepping stones.Embrace failures as they often provide valuable lessons for future endeavours.

Persistence in the Face of Failure

Damon Centola's "Change" and its elucidated ideas provide invaluable insights into the underlying dynamics of societal change, offering businesses a blueprint for driving impactful innovation and growth in a complex world.

How to create the change you want to see in the world using the paradigm-busting ideas in this "utterly fascinating" (Adam Grant) big-idea book.​ Most of what we know about how ideas spread comes from bestselling authors who give us a compelling picture of a world, in which "influencers" are king, "sticky" ideas "go viral," and good behavior is "nudged" forward. The problem is that the world they describe is a world where information spreads, but beliefs and behaviors stay the same.   When it comes to lasting change in what we think or the way we live, the dynamics are different: beliefs and behaviors are not transmitted from person to person in the simple way that a virus is. The real story of social change is more complex. When we are exposed to a new idea, our social networks guide our responses in striking and surprising ways.   Drawing on deep-yet-accessible research and fascinating examples from the spread of coronavirus to the success of the Black Lives Matter movement, the failure of Google+, and the rise of political polarization, Change presents groundbreaking and paradigm-shifting new science for understanding what drives change, and how we can change the world around us.

marketingandsales

Marketing & Sales

books

Books

Damon Centola

Change

Open Space Technology democratizes group discussions, allowing every voice to be heard and fostering an environment where spontaneous, genuine collaboration can flourish. By emphasizing active participation, self-organization, and adaptability, it addresses complex issues with innovative solutions that traditional, top-down methods might overlook.

Open Spaces Technology Is Best Served For Complexity

This principle gives participants the autonomy to make the most out of the event by moving to a place where they can either learn or contribute. "Empower yourself to move where your contribution and learning are maximized."Trust your instincts. If you feel you aren't benefiting from or contributing to a session, don't hesitate to join another group or take a break. Your time and input are valuable, so use them wisely.

Law of Two Feet

This means that the people who are attracted to the session are the ones who care about that topic."The best insights often come from unexpected sources."Be open-minded. Everyone present has something unique to offer. Don't dismiss anyone based on rank, experience, or background.

Whoever comes are the right people

This encourages an acceptance of what unfolds.”Embrace the flow of the moment and the wisdom it brings."Stay present and adapt. Don't dwell on what could have been or should have been. Focus on the current conversation and its potential.

Whatever happens is the only thing that could have

This embraces the creative spirit and spontaneity."Creativity doesn’t stick to a schedule."Be patient and flexible. Allow conversations to evolve naturally without the pressure of time constraints.

Whenever it starts is the right time

If the conversation has finished before the allotted time, that's fine. If it needs to extend beyond, that's fine too."Respect the rhythm of discussions; they have their own life."Don't force a conversation to continue if it's reached its natural conclusion. Similarly, if there's more to discuss, seek ways to continue the conversation, perhaps in a follow-up session.

When it's over, it's over

Participants create the agenda on the spot, and people are encouraged to pursue topics they're passionate about."Harness the power of collective intelligence by letting it flow freely."Engage actively. Propose topics, join discussions, or even just listen. Allow the group's dynamics to guide the day.

Self-organisation

The central space where topics are proposed and sessions are announced. People can freely move between discussions."Diverse discussions lead to rich insights. Explore the marketplace of ideas."Venture out and sample different sessions. The diversity of discussions can offer a broader perspective on the theme.

Space and Marketplace

In OST, the facilitator's role is minimal, mainly setting the stage and then stepping back to let the participants take charge.”Guidance is subtle; the real direction comes from the group."While facilitators set the stage, remember that the collective energy and insights of the participants drive the process. Engage with respect and curiosity.

The role of the facilitator

Embracing Open Space Technology principles in leadership fosters inclusivity, adaptability, and shared responsibility, catalyzing team innovation and driving sustainable business growth.

Open Space Technology: A User’s Guide is just what the name implies: a hands-on, detailed description of facilitating Open Space Technology (OST). OST is an effective, economical, fast, and easily repeatable strategy for organizing meetings of between 5 and 2,000 participants that has been used in thousands of organizations in 134 countries and just keeps growing in popularity. Written by the originator of the method, this is the most authoritative book on the rationale, procedures, and requirements of OST. OST enables self-organizing groups of all sizes to deal with hugely complex issues in a very short period of time. This step-by-step user’s guide details what needs to be done before, during, and after an Open Space event. Harrison Owen details all the practical considerations necessary to create Open Space. He begins with the most important question—should you use Open Space at all?—and examines what types of situations are appropriate for Open Space Technology and what types are not. He then goes on to look at nuts-and-bolts issues such as supplies, logistics, and who should come and how you should go about getting them there. This third edition adds a survey of the current status of Open Space Technology around the world, an updated section on the latest available technology for report writing (a key aspect of the Open Space process), and an updated list of resources.

mentalhealth

Mental Health

business

Business

creativity

Creativity

Harrison Owen

Open Space Technology

1. Perception: The way we perceive obstacles determines how we will react to them. It's essential to train our minds to see problems as opportunities.2. Action: Once we've adjusted our perception, we need to act. This action isn't random but is about persistence, flexibility, and adaptability.3. Will: This is the internal power and endurance not just to withstand obstacles but also to persist in the face of adversity.

Obstacles don't inhibit success; they create it.

“There is no good or bad without us, there is only perception. There is the event itself and the story we tell ourselves about what it means.”How we perceive challenges dictates how we react to them.In business, it's not about what happens, but how you interpret and act on what happens. Reframing challenges as opportunities can foster innovation.

Perception is Reality

“What stands in the way becomes the way.”Resistance often signals a growth opportunity.Businesses that pivot or adapt in response to challenges often discover new markets or innovative solutions.

Embrace Resistance

“The disciplined mind, the always-in-control aspect of the person, can direct everything.”Discipline in action leads to progress.Consistent, calculated actions aligned with a business's vision are more effective than reactive, random moves.

Focused Action

“The world is constantly testing us. Are you worthy? Can you get past the things that inevitably fall in your way?”Persistence is key.Those businesses that remain steadfast and resilient in face of adversity tend to outlast competitors.

Steadfastness

“Wherever we look, there are always opportunities.”Challenges are disguised opportunities.Businesses that identify hidden opportunities within setbacks can gain a competitive advantage.

Opportunity in Adversity

“Will is our internal power, which can never be affected by the outside world.”Our inner resolve is a source of strength.A company's internal culture and conviction can drive it forward even in tough external circumstances.

The Power of Will

“Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.”Denial stifles growth.Accepting market realities allows businesses to adjust strategies effectively.

Acceptance

“Failure really can be an asset if what you’re trying to do is improve, learn, or do something new.”Every failure is a lesson.Embracing a culture of learning from failures fosters innovation.

“Think progress, not perfection.”Always be forward-thinking.Anticipating future challenges and trends ensures that a business remains agile.

Anticipation

“To see an obstacle as a challenge, to make the best of it, we must be objective.”Detachment from emotions leads to clearer decision-making.An objective view of business problems can lead to unbiased and effective solutions.

Objectivity

“Persist and resist.”Consistency and resistance against external pressures lead to success.Long-term success requires sustained effort and resisting short-term distractions.

Practice Persistence

“It’s not enough to be in the right place at the right time. You have to be the right person in the right place at the right time.”Align actions with core values.Businesses that align with their core values create more meaningful connections with their customers.

The Right Endeavor

“We adapt. And we adapt like cells, developing a resistance to that which tries to harm us.”Adapting to change is vital.The most successful businesses are those that pivot based on market demands.

Adaptive Flexibility

“Focus on the moment, not the monsters that may or may not be up ahead.”Tackling challenges one at a time simplifies complex problems.Breaking down business challenges into manageable parts can make daunting tasks achievable.

Simplicity in Approach

“You will come across obstacles in life — fair and unfair. And you will discover, time and time again, that what matters most is not what these obstacles are but how we see them, how we react to them, and whether we keep our composure.”Approach challenges with humility and composure.A humble approach in business fosters teamwork, learning, and long-term success.

Value of Humility

The ideas in "The Obstacle Is The Way" are important to read because they provide valuable insights on turning adversity into opportunity and achieving personal growth.

#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller The Obstacle is the Way has become a cult classic, beloved by men and women around the world who apply its wisdom to become more successful at whatever they do. Its many fans include a former governor and movie star (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a hip hop icon (LL Cool J), an Irish tennis pro (James McGee), an NBC sportscaster (Michele Tafoya), and the coaches and players of winning teams like the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Cubs, and University of Texas men’s basketball team. The book draws its inspiration from stoicism, the ancient Greek philosophy of enduring pain or adversity with perseverance and resilience. Stoics focus on the things they can control, let go of everything else, and turn every new obstacle into an opportunity to get better, stronger, tougher. As Marcus Aurelius put it nearly 2000 years ago: “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”  Ryan Holiday shows us how some of the most successful people in history—from John D. Rockefeller to Amelia Earhart to Ulysses S. Grant to Steve Jobs—have applied stoicism to overcome difficult or even impossible situations. Their embrace of these principles ultimately mattered more than their natural intelligence, talents, or luck. If you’re feeling frustrated, demoralized, or stuck in a rut, this book can help you turn your problems into your biggest advantages. And along the way it will inspire you with dozens of true stories of the greats from every age and era.

health

Health

Ryan Holiday is media strategist for notorious clients like Tucker Max and Dov Charney. After dropping out of college at 19 to apprentice under the strategist Robert Greene, he went on to advise many bestselling authors and multi-platinum musicians. He is the Director of Marketing at American Apparel, where his work in advertising was internationally known. His strategies are used as case studies by Twitter, YouTube, and Google, and have been written about in AdAge, the New York Times, Gawker, and Fast Company. He is the author is *Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator*, which is due out in July. He currently lives in New Orleans, with his rebellious puppy, Hanno.

Ryan Holiday

The Obstacle Is the Way

The term "liminal" refers to a transitional or initial stage of a process, and the book focuses on the idea that people construct their own realities based on beliefs, which then dictate their actions.Gray posits that to innovate or make significant changes, one must engage in "liminal thinking" to understand and possibly alter those underlying beliefs. He presents a set of principles and practices to help you break down barriers created by their pre-existing beliefs, thus allowing them to see things in a new light.

Liminal Thinking

Belief-driven reality: Our beliefs shape our reality. They're constructed from our experiences and can be limiting. Engaging with humility: Instead of assuming you know everything, approach situations and people with curiosity.Seek understanding: It's crucial to understand where others are coming from, even if you disagree with them. This can help in breaking down barriers.Assume ambiguity: Most of our understanding of the world isn't black and white. Embracing the gray areas can be enlightening.

Key Concepts Of Liminal Thinking

Question everything: Challenge your beliefs. Ask why you believe certain things and whether they still serve you.Seeking the unfamiliar: Getting out of our comfort zones can help us challenge our pre-existing beliefs.Use "hacks" to change beliefs: There are various techniques to help alter beliefs, such as reframing, visualization, and others.

More Key Concepts Of Liminal Thinking

"Beliefs are constructions based on personal experiences."Our personal experiences shape our beliefs, and in turn, our beliefs shape our reality. In business, understanding that each team member may have different beliefs is crucial for cohesive decision-making and innovation.

Belief Construction

"Embrace not knowing."  Recognising what you don't know opens doors to new learning. Businesses that approach challenges with curiosity rather than presumption are more adaptable and innovative.

Embrace Humility

"Assumptions can be barriers to insight."Unexamined assumptions can limit possibilities.In business, challenging assumptions can lead to breakthrough ideas and solutions.

"Doubt is a powerful tool for change."Healthy skepticism can lead to a deeper understanding.Businesses that encourage critical thinking foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Question Everything

"Seek experience before certainty."Experiencing something firsthand can offer more clarity than theoretical understanding.Prototyping and testing in business can lead to better solutions than merely speculating.

Experience Over Certainty

"Understanding is a form of love."Engaging with others' viewpoints fosters understanding.Empathetic businesses build stronger teams and better cater to their customers.

Engage with Empathy

"Reality is ambiguous." Embracing uncertainties can lead to unexpected solutions. Companies that are comfortable with ambiguity are more resilient and innovative.

"Seek the unfamiliar."New experiences can challenge and refine our beliefs.Businesses that explore uncharted territories often find unique opportunities.

Pursue Unfamiliarity

"Actions are based on beliefs." Understanding the beliefs that drive actions can lead to more effective interventions.For businesses, understanding customer beliefs can greatly enhance marketing and product strategies.

Beliefs Influence Actions

"Sometimes you need to create a crisis."Comfort zones can be limiting; occasional disruption can spark change.Companies that periodically shake things up can avoid stagnation and foster innovation.

Create Positive Disruption

"Shared understanding is the foundation for collaboration." Alignment in beliefs and goals enhances teamwork.  Businesses thrive when teams share a unified vision and understanding.

Shared Understanding

"To change others, first change yourself."  Personal transformation often precedes wider change.   Leaders who exemplify the change they wish to see drive more impactful organizational transformation.

Change Starts Within

"Bridging differences starts with understanding."Building connections begins with seeking to understand.Companies that bridge internal and external differences build stronger relationships and collaborations.

Bridge Differences

"Truth is a direction, not a destination."The pursuit of truth is ongoing.Businesses that consistently seek the truth adapt better to changing markets and customer needs.

Seeking Truth

"Growth happens at the boundaries."The edges, where things are uncertain and transitional, are often where the most growth occurs.   - Commentary: Businesses that operate at the frontier of their industry often lead in innovation and market disruption.

Liminal Spaces

Liminal thinking is important because it enhances problem-solving, communication, personal growth, adaptability, and innovation by challenging existing beliefs and fostering empathy and open-mindedness.

Why do some people succeed at change while others fail? It's the way they think! Liminal thinking is a way to create change by understanding, shaping, and reframing beliefs. What beliefs are stopping you right now? You have a choice. You can create the world you want to live in, or live in a world created by others. If you are ready to start making changes, read this book.

Dave Gray

The book delves into the ways that trauma can affect the body and mind, and how it can be treated.1. The Nature of Trauma: Dr. van der Kolk begins by explaining what trauma is and how it can shape an individual's brain, body, and perception of the world.2. Brain Changes: Trauma can alter the brain's structure and function. The author delves into how different areas, like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, are impacted by traumatic experiences.3. Survival Mechanisms: Traumatized individuals may exhibit behaviors such as dissociation or freezing as a way to cope with threatening situations.

Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

4. Developmental Trauma: The book also covers the impact of trauma on children and how early traumatic experiences can shape the developing brain and influence adulthood.5. Paths to Recovery: Dr. van der Kolk outlines various therapeutic approaches that can be effective in treating trauma. This includes talk therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), neurofeedback, yoga, and more.6. The Social Aspect: emphasizes the importance of community and social connection in healing trauma.

The Impact of Trauma

“Trauma results in a fundamental reorganization of the way the mind and brain manage perceptions.”Trauma reshapes our cognitive framework, affecting how we perceive and interact with the world. Recognising this helps in understanding behaviours in oneself and others. Leaders should approach their team members with empathy, knowing that past traumas might influence their reactions.

Understanding Trauma

“As long as you keep secrets and suppress information, you are fundamentally at war with yourself…”Denial or suppression of one's feelings or experiences creates internal conflict. For holistic well-being and effective leadership, it's crucial to acknowledge and address both mental and physical responses to experiences. Internal alignment leads to authentic and effective external interactions.

The Mind-Body Connection

“Children are biologically programmed to grow best in the care of a committed caregiver.”Our early years shape our adult responses. Leaders should recognize that early nurturing—or lack thereof—can deeply impact a person's ability to trust and collaborate. Creating a supportive environment can help individuals thrive.

Impact of Childhood Experiences

“Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health…”Safety and trust form the foundation for mental health and productive relationships. Leaders must prioritise creating a safe space where team members feel valued and understood, leading to better collaboration and innovation.

The Importance of Safety

“Social support is not the same as merely being in the presence of others…”Merely being surrounded by people doesn't ensure emotional well-being; genuine connections do. Leaders should foster meaningful interactions, ensuring everyone feels heard and valued, enhancing overall team cohesion and performance.

Adapting to Stress

“Neuroplasticity is an intrinsic property of the human brain…”The brain's ability to reorganize itself means individuals can learn and adapt throughout life. Leaders can foster a growth mindset, emphasizing continuous learning and adaptation, benefiting both personal and organizational growth.

Neuroplasticity and Change

“In order to change, people need to become aware of their sensations…”Personal growth is intertwined with our interactions and experiences with others. Leaders can facilitate change by encouraging self-awareness and nurturing positive interpersonal dynamics.

The Role of Relationships

“Mindfulness not only makes it possible to survey our internal landscape…”Being present and self-aware are crucial for personal well-being and effective leadership. Encouraging mindfulness can help individuals respond rather than react, leading to better decision-making and interactions.

Presence and Mindfulness

“Being able to move and breathe freely – the way you did when you were a child – can profoundly enhance your sense of vitality…”Resilience is about reclaiming one's inherent vitality and capacity for growth. Leaders can cultivate resilience by fostering environments where experimentation and learning from failures are encouraged.

Resilience and Growth

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

Trauma: The Journey to Healing

Every decision of self sabotage and self neglect has an impact. The body keeps the score.

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER - OVER 3 MILLION COPIES SOLD 'Dr. van der Kolk's masterpiece combines the boundless curiosity of the scientist, the erudition of the scholar, and the passion of the truth teller' Judith Herman, author of Trauma and Recovery The effects of trauma can be devastating for sufferers, their families and future generations. Here one of the world's experts on traumatic stress offers a bold new paradigm for treatment, moving away from standard talking and drug therapies and towards an alternative approach that heals mind, brain and body. 'Fascinating, hard to put down, and filled with powerful case histories. . . . the most important series of breakthroughs in mental health in the last thirty years' Norman Doidge, author of The Brain that Changes Itself 'An astonishing and important book. The trauma Bible. I cannot recommend it enough for anyone struggling with...well...anything' Tara Westover

SoulCraft

Change

Open Space Technology

The Obstacle Is the Way

Liminal Thinking

Michelle Ashen