Undisruptable

16The Coconut Trap

Figure 16.1 The coconut trap

‘Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go’.

 — Hermann Hesse

Many years ago, indigenous tribes used a clever technique to catch monkeys. They hollowed out a coconut and placed some fruit inside. Next, they would hang the coconut on a tree frequented by monkeys. In time, a monkey would come to investigate. The monkey would squeeze its hand into the coconut to grasp the bounty. In making a fist to grab the fruit, the monkey was trapped. His clenched fist no longer passed through the small opening. Even when faced with approaching captors, which could spell death or confinement, he maintained his grip. All he had to do was let go: letting go would mean freedom.

Like the monkey holding the fruit, many of us cling to the past with clenched fists. We clutch painful memories, we hold grudges, we harbour guilt. Equally, we defend successes, mental models and notions of grandeur. When we dwell on the past, we use up valuable energy which we could otherwise use to create our future.

In Chapter 6 we explored how vision pulls us forward as we climb the curve. However, when we pursue a vision of the future, it requires us to let go of certain aspects of the past; and therein lies a mammoth challenge.

Figure 16.2 Clinging to the past

‘If you would make the most of yourself, cut away all of your ...