Finding Clarity Through Extremes
When learning to edit photos, a common technique is to adjust settings like brightness or contrast by taking the slider all the way to the right, and then all the way to the left. Rarely do you love the results at either extreme, but by seeing the full range of possibilities, you learn how a particular adjustment affects the image. This process helps you find and choose the right balance for the change you want to make.
This approach can be just as powerful when making decisions in life. Imagine each choice you're weighing as a slider. What would happen if you took it all the way to one extreme? Then, swing it fully in the opposite direction. This exercise reveals what’s possible and lets you see the benefits and drawbacks of both extremes, helping you find a balanced approach that aligns with your values and goals.
Questioning Our "Lines in the Sand"
One of the most valuable aspects of this exercise is how it helps us question the lines we’ve drawn in the sand. We all have boundaries—whether in our work, relationships, or stances on social or ethical issues—but have we truly examined why those lines exist?
Why do I draw the line here? What would happen if I moved it a little? Why does this stance feel reasonable, while shifting in either direction feels wrong? This technique helps uncover where we’re on autopilot—doing things simply because that’s how we’ve always done them. By pushing the slider to extremes, you can determine whether your boundaries still align with your values or if they’re based on old patterns.
Finding the Sweet Spot
This method isn’t about choosing extreme options but about using them to gain clarity. By exploring both ends of the spectrum, you can identify:
A broader range of possibilities.
What you stand to gain or lose at each extreme.
Where you might be stuck in "the way things have always been."
What truly aligns with your values and goals.
Much like adjusting a photo, the extremes rarely work on their own. But by exploring both, you gain insight into where the decision feels right—whether it’s about your career, a relationship, or even larger social or political issues.
By playing out these possibilities, you not only find balance but also challenge old assumptions, opening yourself up to new ways of thinking.
With warmth,
Amy