A therapist approached me the other day saying she was lost in uncertainty.  “I don’t know who I am anymore within the profession,” she said.  My initial response, “Good for you!  You’re one of the lucky ones.”

Now before people start throwing tomatoes my way, let me explain.  I’m well aware that uncertainty is not the most delightful of sensations.  However, I feel the alternative can be even more damaging.  Staying in your head or sticking to a pre-packaged plan is extremely limiting.  It can make you feel as if there is no way out.

Lao Tzu says, “The truth of you reveals itself in the moments when the imagination of you lets go.”

When I talk with people about my passion for change, I’m happy to discuss the small detail oriented changes.  I’ll share resources and offer step by step tactics that will add value to people’s work.  But my true passion lies with the kind of change Lao Tzu references.  Remarkable and inspiring change that comes from a place of letting go.

Consider a company known as Little Miss Matched.  They are perfectly comfortable in a sea of uncertainty.  And from this place they create an incredible product – Socks.

Are you excited yet?  I’m guessing no.  There aren’t too many things more “commodity oriented” than socks.  But you’ll get excited when you learn how Little Miss Matched views socks.  It’s inevitable.

First and foremost, the people at Little Missed Matched don’t see themselves as a sock company, they see themsleves as a creative company that challenges your view of reality.  Instead of offering the obvious and practical solution: a pair of socks, one for each foot, they wonder, “Why sell only two?  We’re going to sell three to a pack.” They’ll need to match of course.  “Do they?” Even their company name defies that rule.  “Why should they match?  In fact, wouldn’t it be exciting if they didn’t?  Wouldn’t that offer our customers more than just a warm pair of toes?”

This remarkable business takes a tired and worn out idea and turns it into something worth talking about.  They sell an experience, and in the process give their audience much more than they bargained for.

What I love about truly original ideas is they create space for something new to take hold.  They are somehow greater than what you and I see on the surface.

So where can you and I push the envelope?

“Why can’t we sell unmatched socks, three to a pack?”

Before you begin thinking about ALL the ethical, legal and best practice implications of this question for your profession, pause for a moment …. give the question some space.  You may find it evolves into something you’ve known all along.