George of the Toboggan: Look Out for That Tree!

Look Out for That Tree! A Scout’s Lesson in Possibility Thinking

Lou Tice once said, “…become a possibility thinker, someone who looks beyond convention, beyond conditioning. When you’re a possibility thinker, you stop focusing on what you don’t want—the problems, obstacles, and difficulties in your life. Instead, you look for options, solutions, and new ways of doing things that will give you the results you do want.” Lou Tice week, day three.

Now, let me take you back to a time when I was eleven, freshly minted as a Scout. Our troop was excited because one of the guys had brought along a beautiful polished wood toboggan. We found the perfect hill—steep enough for a thrill but not too dangerous, or so we thought. There was only one problem: a massive tree stood proudly at the bottom, smack in the middle of our path.

But, being young and invincible, we saw it as no big deal. After all, there was plenty of space on either side of that tree. We hopped on the toboggan, brimming with confidence and ready for action. As we hurtled down the hill, the tree loomed closer, and it became clear that a decision had to be made. “Just lean!” someone yelled. Simple, right?

In theory, yes. In practice, half of us leaned left, half leaned right, and the toboggan, utterly confused, went straight ahead—right into the tree.

Reflecting on this glorious misadventure, I realize we were so focused on that tree—on what we didn’t want—that we ended up heading straight for it. The more we fixated on avoiding it, the closer we seemed to get to it.

We often find ourselves fixating on what we don't want—the problems, challenges, and hurdles. This negative focus can limit our potential and prevent us from seeing other opportunities. If we’d been true possibility thinkers, we might have laughed in the face of that tree, leaned together, and sailed past it without a care.

So, next time you find yourself fixated on the “tree” in your path, remember to shift your focus. Lean together with those around you, and steer toward the open spaces of possibility.

Contact us at BizCoachTN for help in transforming your life and business.