It’s question time.
Who reading this likes reading “business” books?
There might be a few hands up, but chances are most people would lean towards some good quality fiction before they buried their nose, and used up their precious time, on a business book.
However, recently I read a (business) book, which I even prioritized over the very well-written and suspenseful fantasy fiction book I was reading.
It turns out that the business book was REALLY well written.
Focused on a theme I am infinitely fascinated with.
It also challenged some of my current beliefs and teachings – which is always a great thing.
Learning and growing (evolution) is one of the main games after all.
The thing I also realised with the theme, was it could as equally apply to “PEOPLE”, as it did business.
It caused me to take a good hard look at a few things I had been trifling with of late.
The book in question is called “The Science of Scaling” by Dr Benjamin Hardy and Blake Erikson.
(If you are a business owner or in senior management, I STRONGLY encourage you to read this book before you start the New Year).
These dudes were about scaling businesses.
Where I am about “scaling” people.
Taking them from Version 1.0 to Version 2.0 (which is not a linear transition but an exponential transition).
Do you want to know what my biggest take-aways were?
My biggest take-aways
The guys developed an exception framework, which is simple in its construct, but backed-up by great understandings of psychology (and real-world experience).
The framework was presented in three distinct parts.
The FIRST part was called “Changing the Frame”.
And the way they ‘changed the frame’ was by getting really, really focused on what the Target was.
Suggesting that the Future target (or goal) we aim for, determines a lot of the choices we make in the Present.
Also suggesting that, done right, it can even overcome patterns or habits derived from the past.
Sort of in alignment with the essence of Positive Psychology.
Their suggested way to change the frame was to establish an IMPOSSIBLE Goal.
I did do a double take when I read that.
Since, I often teach that if your goal is so big it freaks you out, then you are more likely to go into a stress response (e.g. fear), and lose your connection to creativity – which is essential for doing anything ‘big’.
But then I remembered the term BHAG – big hairy audacious goals – from the book ‘Built to Last‘.
Plus, my friend Penny is currently writing a book called ‘Dream Big’.
Their theory is – which they have seen realised in 100’s of different real-world case studies – if the goal is “Impossible”, it causes a (very) different and new level of thinking.
It causes you to dig much deeper, get more real, get more honest, and also come up with ideas, which are not on a linear growth path.
It acknowledges you cannot get to Version 2.0, by doing what you have always done as Version 1.0.
Something needs to change.
In coaching, I would say that “what got you to this level of success, might actually be holding you back from your next (higher) level of success“.
Setting such a high goal sort of forces you to look well outside of the box.
It also causes you to become laser-focused.
Which takes us onto the other major element they presented (which is in alignment with my coaching work).
The SECOND part of their framework is called “Raise your Floor”.
I would essentially summarise this as raising the bar on what is ESSENTIAL and what needs to be cut away.
I work in this with my clients, when I talk about evolution.
It is about cutting away (pruning) all the stuff that is either holding you back, slowing you down, or not taking you forward in an efficient manner.
From a personal perspective, this might be getting rid of habits, mental programs, limiting beliefs, unhelpful stories, friends, physical objects, poor investments, and the likes; which hold you back from your unique and highest potential version of Greatness.
A personal example was getting rid of regular, and excessive drinking of alcohol, as it lead to a lowering of my consciousness, and a lot of REALLY bad decisions (which required a lot of energy, resources and effort to unf#ck).
These days I have a couple of beers (i.e. two) a year, when I catch up with my family, but otherwise it was not working well for me.
I have also dumped a bucket load of other bad habits, and limiting beliefs over the years too.
The THIRD part of their framework, which I am not going to dive into here, is called “Accelerate Your Focus“.
In their book they talk a lot about the necessity of having the right people to attain the Impossible Goal.
For us personally, this is about the right choices of resources (people and things) we apply, in order to elevate our psychology and results.
You will have to read the book to go deeper on this. 😉
A relevant personal insight
As I said earlier, I teach that creativity is essential for creating greatness, but if you are stressed to the eye-balls, you can’t access it in any useful way.
You are essentially limited to a choice of fight, flight or freeze.
After reading this book, I had an even better understanding of this.
The first one was that it takes a certain character (packed with grit, resilience, perseverance, tenacity, creativity, courage, etc.) to be able to lean into an Impossible Goal, without freaking out.
So, character matters, and is a base for “dreaming big” as my friend Penny would say.
The second thing was the importance of stepping back, catching your breath, grounding and centering, if your BHAG, is freaking you out.
We need to work on our emotional state, before we can dive back into the big stuff.
What I call adding consciousness to the mix.
The last thing was that “going big” is not for everyone.
And since I am a big fan of “freedom of choice“, that is totally cool too.
Some people are happy enough with where they are, or navigating a gentler linear path.
Again; that’s totally cool with me. 🙂
We all choose to follow the path which is right for us.
Now, if you are up for a challenge
Here is what I am going to do in the coming weeks, which I think will creating a pretty gob-smacking plan for 2026.
STEP 1: I am going to come up with an Impossible Goal.
It might be professional, or personal, or an overlap of both (which is often the case).
Then, STEP 2: I am going to consider what I might need to let go of to realise my Impossible Goal.
In my case it might be getting rid of one or more of my business activities, such as: writing books, having a YouTube channel, having a podcast channel, doing corporate wellness training, Coaching certain demographics, doing key-note speeches, etc.
(It also might mean that I 100% laser focus on “one thing” for the next 1-3 years)
So, the CHALLENGE I am giving you is this: Do Step 1 and Step 2 over the next 4-6 weeks.
And if you really want to go for it, Step 3 might even be to organise a Coaching Session with me in 2026, to dive even deeper into your findings.
Are you up for the Challenge?
In Summary
If you are a business owner or senior manager / executive, please read the book (The Science of Scaling).
Having an Impossible Goal enhances your focus (laser-like), and causes you to radically change your approach.
To reach an Impossible Goal, you need to cut away all which is not Essential.
Aiming for an Impossible Goal causes you to get clear about what you really, really want.
The Version 2.0 version of us, is not a Newtonian step up from Version 1.0, but a Quantum Leap into a whole new way of experiencing life.
My Parting Words
I love it when something I read really challenges me.
I would also say – in all honesty – that where I am currently in life is reasonable comfortable.
I have no debt.
I have a great house to live in, and a Tiny House to rent out.
I have financial flow, without having to work anywhere near 40hrs a week.
However, there is a great insight by Tony Robbins where he says, without Growth and Contribution, it is hard to experience FULFILLMENT.
So, of late I have this “growth” thing, sort of looking at me.
Which makes me consider if I am using all my life experience and ‘gifts’, to my full potential, in service to something greater than me?
All of this to say I am actually a little bit excited and trepidatious about discovering what my Impossible Goal might actually look like.
How about you?
Are you up for the Challenge?
I think it is great use of our brainpower at this time in history – post the major disruptions of the last few years – to get really focused on what you would like to create in your future life and the world at large.
It might be a fun, wild ride.
How about we dream big together, and cause the ripples to go well beyond ourselves – in an known and unknown way.
Woohoo!!
Game on.
Have a thoughtful day (on what you have read), and a week where you courageously take up the Challenge.
Take care.
Carl
Quotable QUOTE:Â
“The Version 2.0 version of us, is not a Newtonian step up from Version 1.0, but a Quantum Leap into a whole new way of experiencing life.“ Carl Massy
(Author of 18 Ways We Make Life WAY Harder Than It Needs To Be)
PS: Have you read or listened to this book yet? 18 Ways We Make Life WAY Harder Than It Needs To Be
