On Opposite Sides of the Lore

Congratulations to Team Singapore for its Ironman Switzerland attempt! I am glad that all of them returned safe and sound. I would like to consider this event in 2012, as one of my buddies who was fished out of the water (registered faster than the leading male professional and eventually got a DQ) has unfinished business. My racing calendar is quite full with several A-races till June 2011.

I have been thinking about opposing thoughts, inspired by Newtonian physics as well as through recent observations. ‘For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction’ stated Sir Isaac Newton as part of this triad of physical laws. In law, we have the role of opposing counsel. It is almost a truism to hear that ‘Opposites attract!’ Instead of agreeing all the time, consider disagreeing and propose an alternative idea.

Too often, disagreeing can be construed as opposing, being antagonistic and being difficult. However, thinking can be contrarian and creative. Taking a 180-degrees shift from the usual can yield new perspectives and purpose.

How can you apply opposite thinking and opposing action?

1)    Give feed forward instead of feedback.

2)    Catch people doing right, instead of wrong.

3)    Focus on the future, not the past (as you can’t change this).

4)    Do more instead of less.

5)    Do less, instead of more.

6)    Focus on ‘why not?’ instead of ‘why?’ in problem solving.

7)    Agree once (or twice) with the one whom you tend to disagree with, most of the time.

8)    Do more chores, and less of your hobbies.

9)    Go faster instead or slower, and vice versa.

10) Show some interest in what may be unimportant or boring to you.