Exciting news! My new book “Precious Jewels: Small Experiments for Personal Growth” is now available!
As we continue our exploration of practical approaches to personal and professional development, I’m thrilled to announce that my new book “Precious Jewels: Small Experiments for Personal Growth” has just been published. The timing feels particularly appropriate as this week’s post focuses on the “Bridges to the New” concept—one of the small experiments detailed in the book. If you’ve been enjoying this series, you’ll find even more practical approaches and experiments in Precious Jewels.
Bridges to New Possibilities
In times of transition or when seeking fresh perspectives, we often need prompts that help us see beyond our current situation. The “Bridges to the New” approach offers exactly this—a structured yet flexible way to discover pathways forward that might otherwise remain hidden.
At its core, this concept recognizes that moving from our current state to new possibilities requires crossing metaphorical bridges. These bridges aren’t just about getting from A to B; they’re about the transformation that happens during the journey itself.
The Origins of Bridges to the New
This approach emerged during a significant transition in my own career. As I prepared to step away from the organisation I had founded, I developed what became known as the “Bridge to the New programme“—a structured approach to navigating change while honouring what came before.
The visual metaphor of bridges became increasingly important. I began photographing bridges wherever I encountered them, initially without fully understanding why. These images eventually formed the foundation for a practical tool that would help others navigate their own transitions.
From Concept to Practice
The concept evolved into a tangible resource: a deck of cards pairing bridge photographs with thought-provoking questions. Each card serves as both a visual metaphor and a prompt for reflection or action.
For example, one card shows a bright red bridge standing out against a woodland backdrop, paired with the question: “What can you do to make this idea really stand out?” Another might show a temporary bridge with the question: “What temporary solution could you create while building something more permanent?”
How to Use the Bridges Approach
Whether you have access to the physical cards or simply embrace the concept, here are several ways to apply this approach:
- Daily reflection: Draw a single card or consider a single bridge-related question each morning to frame your thinking for the day
- Decision-making: When facing a choice, use three different bridge questions to explore the situation from multiple angles
- Team discussions: Introduce bridge metaphors to help groups move beyond stuck thinking patterns
- Journaling prompts: Use bridge questions as starting points for deeper written exploration
- Transition planning: Create your own set of bridge questions specific to a change you’re navigating
Creating Your Own Bridges
While the physical card deck offers a structured approach, you can easily adapt this concept for your own use:
- Collect your own images of bridges (physical or metaphorical)
- Craft questions that help you or others move from current realities to new possibilities
- Consider what makes an effective “bridge” in different contexts of your life
The power of this approach lies in its flexibility and visual resonance. Bridges inherently represent connection, transition, and possibility—making them perfect metaphors for personal and professional development.
Moving Forward
As you consider the bridges in your own life, what questions might help you cross to new possibilities? What metaphorical bridges are you currently standing on, and what can you see from this vantage point?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with this approach in the comments below.
If you’ve found this post valuable, you’ll discover many more practical approaches in my new book “Precious Jewels: Small Experiments for Personal Growth,” available now in paperback and eBook formats.
Next week, we’ll continue our series with an exploration of “Moving Base Camp” – another powerful metaphor for shifting your perspective and setting new goals.