The Power of AND

by Scott Noelle

Today we’ll expand our vocabulary with a new verb:  AND.

To AND means to include that which is normally excluded. When you take two things that are supposed to be exclusive, opposed, or incompatible, and put them together anyway, you’re AND-ing them.

Consider this situation with an exhausted parent:

“I want to take a nap, but my child wants me to play with her. One of us has to lose. It’s either her or me.”

To AND that situation, try this perspective:

“I want to take a nap, AND my child wants me to play with her. Both of us can win. Both her and me.”

AND-ing is an act of faith, because initially you don’t know how both sides will experience a win. But you trust that in a universe of infinite possibility, there must be a way.

AND-ing opens your creative channels and makes you susceptible to inspiration. And before you know it, you and your child are playing a game called “Sleeping Giant.” :)

Originally published on 2006-09-08
Share It !