I was privileged to be one of 100 participants at TEDx Manhattan beach last weekend where I heard Samuel Holtzman speak on what he calls the Taxonomy of ignorance.

Mr Holtzman started out his presentation by speaking about how often in sports a seemingly real barrier will exist until one person breaks a record and then suddenly many others are capable of the same achievement. It is as if once one person proves it can be done then suddenly the rest can achieve what was previously impossible.

In his talk he outlined 7 blocks or rules that we impose on ourselves that prevent us from achieving things.

Computation - This block is about our tools or resources in which we excuse our failure based on what we do not have or the fact that our computer is not fast enough to allow us to succeed
Watsonian - Sherlock Homes was always astounding Watson with his power of observations. This block is all about not observing what is really going on or perhaps not wanting to see the truth of a situation.
Ptolemaic - This block is about making thing more complicated then necessary. Claudius Ptolemaeus in the in the 2nd century AD formulated an astronomical system with earth in the center of the universe. In order to explain away irregularities caused by the fact that Earth was indeed not in the center he had to make his system ever more complicated. In short he made the problem harder then it had to be and ignored a simpler and cleaner solution.
Gordian Knot - is a legend that involves the seemingly unsolvable problem or no win scenario. Clearly if one believes there is no solution then one can not overcome this block.
Magical - This is where few if any people understand the issue and therefore we believe that we can not solve the problem. Medical problems are good example of this type of block.
Dark - This block takes it a step further in so far as no one may truly understand the issue and hence one is tempted to not even look for a solution.
Fundamental - This block is where we really do not know there is an issue or barrier that needs solving.

What was so striking about this topic is how ultimately true it is that we impose these blocks and limitations on ourselves. It is our belief in these blocks that gives them power over us and it is our ability to believe that anything is possible that provides our ability to innovate create and achieve great things.

Stefan Lindegaard in his article "Why CEOs Don't Get Innovation" in today's Business Week argues that "CEOs and other C-level officers often don't support innovation, even though the business climate of our time demands it." While he blames the demand for these executives to produce short-term gains over long term results, I think it is also clear that one or more of the 8 blocks above are really at work.

Are you even now victim of these self imposed restraints? What have you not achieved simply because you believed that if others could not do it neither could you?

We all make excuses for why we fail to meet our goals and objectives but are we really convincing ourselves that we can not before we even attempt to achieve? This is not about positive thinking but rather not believe more in your failure then in the possibility of success.

Join us as we explore overcoming the Taxonomy of Ignorance and how to turn I/we can't into we did and will again.

As always, there is no better way to meet and connect with other executives then over dinner and conversation. $21 in advance via PayPal or $25 at the event gets you a full dinner, drink and the best networking around.