Ep 117: Two Things are True

There are two ways of looking at the world. We can think that there is one truth to everything; “one thing is true”…OR we can realize that many things are true at the same time. We call this “two things are true” thinking.  

Recently, I was working with a collaborator on something who was consistently letting me down by not meeting their commitments. When I was just trying to understand the hard things that were coming up for them and getting in the way of their work, my compassion was all that was true. I was in my “one thing is true” mindset. After a few occurrences of this, I moved into a “two things are true” mindset. I realized- It’s okay that those things didn’t get done, AND it’s not okay that those things didn’t get done. 

When that happened, I could both be compassionate AND hold them accountable to what they committed to. When we realize that two things are true, we move from convincing energy to understanding energy. And that’s when the magic…and the problem solving happens. 

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• “Two things are true” vs “one thing is true” thinking 
• A three step process to solve problems that involve more than on truth
• How learning to use “two things are true” to help turn ideas into real things 
• Why validating different perspectives is different than agreeing with them 
• Why it’s hard to do this in a convincing culture that teaches us power and dominance instead of curiosity and understanding 
• How understanding and validation are way more effective than being right 
• How understanding that two things are true allows us to gathering data and develop awareness to make better decisions 

When we understand that two opposing things are true at once, we can get creative. Our thinking is innovative and elastic because it’s open to different perspectives, realities, possibilities and thinking. Instead of sweeping everything under the rug, we see it all and solve for it all. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Good Inside by Dr Becky Kennedy 
• Listening is Sexy 
• Institute of the Future 
• The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
• Moving through Obstacles

How to connect with Marie:

• On the Web | The Local Bloom
• Instagram: @the.bloom.coach
• All Things Marie on LinkTree

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