Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Make Possibilities Happen summary
Grace Hawthorne, Stanford d.school
How to Transform Ideas into Reality
16 mins
Table of Contents
Make Possibilities Happen
Summary of 4 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 4
You can’t achieve what you can’t see
We tell our kids "you can be anything!" and then hand them standardized tests asking them to cross in one answer. Is it any wonder innovation stagnates? To turn possibilities into realities, we must re-awaken the creative capacity lying dormant within us. Venturing beyond engrained limitations takes courage, but reveals unimagined horizons.
When we consciously examine our mindsets, we can override the primal programming that stifles innovation. Our brains evolved to avoid risk, sliding into habitual ruts that discourage visionary thinking. We absorb biased assumptions that distort our worldview, filtering reality through limitations instilled since childhood. Breaking free requires intention and follow-through. This is where visualization comes in.
Take a dream of yours and clearly envision the desired outcome, articulating the purpose and goals underpinning it. Hold this vision firmly in focus, no matter how improbable it may seem. Our thoughts generate energy that can drive action or sap momentum. If you approach endeavors with dread, you’ll fritter away that power procrastinating. But by intentionally reframing your mindset, you ignite motivation.
Revisit your visualization frequently as projects evolve. See setbacks as feedback revealing needed course-corrections, not defeats. Experiment with possibilities and watch for unexpected opportunities that arise. Maintain agency by investing energy proactively rather than worrying over uncontrollable variables.
To further fuel innovation, cultivate curiosity and flexibility. This helps push past barriers when expertise falls short. Asking “I don’t know” builds resilience, sparking creative breakthroughs. Explore what captivates your imagination without judging viability. Be willing to question preconceived constraints.
Also, surround yourself with supportive communities who can spot blindspots you miss alone. Our individual perceptions get distorted by bias, meaning we don’t objectively analyze situations. Collaborate to expand collective wisdom. What limiting beliefs could be lifted to uncover new potential?
By consciously training your focus, you amplify purposeful vision. Our eyes perceive only a fraction of what’s visible in our surroundings. We further filter what we see through assumptions carried since childhood that narrow our perspective. By intentionally directing your gaze – and your thoughts – you uncover previously unseen possibilities.
Progress requires moving beyond comfortable terrain into uncharted spaces that will inevitably bring difficulties. But beyond those difficulties lies the potential for something that will expand your world. With consistent practice, deliberate shifts become easier as the unfamiliar turns routine. Trust that expanding your vision will widen your possibilities and the range of what you can do.
Want to see all full key ideas from Make Possibilities Happen?
Key ideas in Make Possibilities Happen
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Make Possibilities Happen about?
Make Possibilities Happen (2023) is filled with practical strategies to turn your dreams into realities through hard work, vision, and perseverance. Through approachable storytelling and actionable advice, it empowers you to take control of your life and pursue your biggest goals and ambitions.
Make Possibilities Happen Review
Make Possibilities Happen by Grace Hawthorne, Stanford d.school (2020) is a book that explores the power of human-centered design thinking and its potential for creating positive change. Here's what makes this book worth reading:
- It offers practical techniques and tools to help readers approach challenges with a fresh perspective and develop innovative solutions.
- With real-life case studies and examples, it illustrates how design thinking can be applied to various domains, from business to social issues.
- Through its insightful framework and thought-provoking ideas, it sparks creativity and encourages readers to embrace a more empathetic and collaborative approach to problem-solving.
Who should read Make Possibilities Happen?
- Dreamers who want practical advice on getting their ideas off the ground
- Do-ers who leap into new projects but struggle to finish them
- Anyone who wants to reach their full creative potential
Categories with Make Possibilities Happen
Book summaries like Make Possibilities Happen
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Make Possibilities Happen FAQs
What is the main message of Make Possibilities Happen?
The main message of Make Possibilities Happen is to embrace and create opportunities for personal growth and development.
How long does it take to read Make Possibilities Happen?
The reading time for Make Possibilities Happen varies, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Make Possibilities Happen a good book? Is it worth reading?
Make Possibilities Happen is an inspiring read that provides practical insights and ideas for unlocking your potential. Highly recommended!
Who is the author of Make Possibilities Happen?
The author of Make Possibilities Happen is Grace Hawthorne.
What to read after Make Possibilities Happen?
If you're wondering what to read next after Make Possibilities Happen, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Know What Matters by Ron Shaich
- How to Be the Love You Seek by Nicole LePera
- Lessons for Living by Phil Stutz
- Mind Shift by Erwin Raphael McManus
- No-Excuses Innovation by Bruce Vojak & Walter Herbst
- Decisions about Decisions by Cass R. Sunstein
- Level Up by Rob Dial
- Get the Picture by Bianca Bosker
- Time Management Secrets for College Students by Dennis Stemmle
- Securely Attached by Eli Harwood