The Quantum Planning Workbook
The worksheets below are designed to help you personally, as well as
members of a group planning together, to absorb and use the ideas covered
in the book. Once you have been introduced to them during a seminar you
will be able to use them on an ongoing basis to help you get unstuck, step
outside of group think and challenge your own assumptions. In going
through those experiences you will be able to think more creatively and
breakthrough to some innovative ideas. In doing so you will have a chance
to become a better leader.
The Core Quantum Planning Process and Strategic Planning
The Pathway from Quantum Physics to
Success in Business Strategy
Take some good ideas on
structure and flow to open
thinking and drive creativity
Study how the
universe works
Quantum
Physics
Turning ideas into creative and
innovative services and products
Quantum Ideas
and Metaphors
Creative
Thinking
Metaphysics
The core quantum
thinking loop
Organizational Design
&Development
Strategic
Planning
Decide how to combine people and physical
assets into a productive system.
Bring in information on key
aspects of the business:
markets, technology,
competition, regulation,
finances, economic issues
Investment in
Operations
The core business
learning loop
Product
or Service
Quantum physics (or just the workings of the universe) are a base from which we develop
ideas, metaphors, patterns and models. We use our thinking to play with and experiment
with those ideas. This is the creative process which must be open and conducted in a
non-judgmental fashion. It is the beginning of the “thoughts to things” process. Sound
strategic planning will bring in the other key elements of the business and its operating
environment. It is within that context that ideas will be applied. Those applications will
lead to organizational design and development, followed by investment and production of
products and services. The response in the market for the products and services offered
becomes an opportunity for feedback and learning. Challenges and opportunities which
arise from this are the core of the learning process connected to customers. In addressing
those challenges and opportunities, new ideas, metaphors, patterns and models may be
needed, which will have implications for organizational design and development.
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Beyond Duality Worksheet
This worksheet is designed to help you step outside the trap of dual thinking.
It provides a few starting examples and then leaves space for you to add
your own. The more you can become aware of extremes and opposites in
your thinking and dissolve them, the more open and powerful your thinking
will become.
-
+
Cheap
Good Value
Expensive
Believer
Enlightened
Non-believer
Pleasure
Sacrifice/Growth
Pain
Positive Thinking
Wisdom/Truth
Negative Thinking
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Beyond Duality Worksheet II
A different point of observing a particle can lead to different measurements
of its position and different probabilities of its velocity. All the different
measurements are real from their position of observation. Therefore there
can be multiple realities.
Event________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
1. I see it as ___________________________________________________
2. Based on what I see we should__________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
3.
This will result in ____________________________________________
Has someone seen this completely differently from me?
Is this person ALWAYS wrong? Have I ever missed seeing something?
Is the result others are seeing feasible? Can my result and theirs co-exist or
complement one another?
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Observations and Intention Worksheet
We infer a lot from our histories, beliefs and values. They form the basis of
our assumptions, starting points and comfort zones. They are our own and
do not exist anywhere in the universe except inside of our heads.
Statement or Observation:____________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
1. I assume this means_____________________________________________
2. Based on that then_____________________________________ must be true
3. What follows from this is ________________________________________
Opening Up:




Are any of the above always true, 100% of the time?
If I see this differently (maybe even the exact opposite for starters), how does
it make me feel?
What might prevent me from seeing this differently?
What can I learn from seeing this differently?
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Uncertainty and Positions Worksheet
(Content and Context)
It is not possible to get all the information needed to make the exact right
decision. Taking a position that your perspective is “right” is inherently
limited by your subjective point of view (context). Once you take a position
on the content you are also setting the context. A shift in point of view
changes what we can measure and see.
Event____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
1. My context for this is____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. Based on that context my decision is ________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. Another context for this might be____________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Based on that my decision could change to_______________________________
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Space and Time Illusion Worksheet
Time is an illusion created by the human mind to organize and coordinate
our activities and to set expectations. Notice how babies seem to be
completely unaware of what time it is. A particular “this” that must precede
or follow are particular “that” is only true for you. Your sequential thinking
is yours alone. Convincing others to follow it can be fulfilling, but it can
also close down your thinking and opportunities for creativity.
“This” before “that” thinking
Your Preferred Order
An Alternative Order
Learning Questions:
1. What was I trying to optimize in my sequence?
2. How was my concept of time operating? (order, maturity,
investment)?
3. What could be accomplished better or differently by the
alternative sequence?
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Many Worlds Worksheet I
Worldview of the complex business environment
Organizational View
Context of Strategy Formulation and Investment
Conditions are far
beyond our control,
resources analyzing
it should be limited
Ready-fire-aim-fire (RFAF): Studying the business environment
too long is seen as paralysis and a poor use of limited
resources, therefore the bias is toward taking action, learning
something, then taking more action. Investing and learning by
doing is the underlying belief.
Complex conditions
exist, but we have a
clear intention and
are willing to interact
with changing
conditions
Aim-ready-fire-aim (ARFA): There is a belief that the business
environment is complex and evolving in a certain manner and
that a risk can be taken to anticipate conditions and thereby
make a profit. Studying the environment is done to give context
for anticipating conditions. A powerful intention in combination
with anticipation of conditions directs investment and learning.
Complex conditions
exist, but we can
influence some of
the key factors to
limit risks
Aim-control-ready-fire (ACRF): There is a belief that the
business environment though complex can have some factors
controlled. Studying the environment drives the selection of
which factors to seek to control of. A clear intention combined
with efforts to limit downside risks (or secure advantage) directs
investment and learning.
Very often there are hidden assumptions within a group of how the whole of the business
environment is perceived and the company’s relationship to that environment. The
organization’s view of itself in the environment—how strong or weak is it against the
forces that are active or potentially active—is often unclear because it exists in very
different ways in the minds of its managers and workers. Depending on the view of the
organization against its environment, the entire structure of the planning and strategy
implementation (i.e., investment) process can shift. (See pages 91-94 in the book.)
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Many Worlds Worksheet II
Catalytic and Kaleidoscopic
Perception about life and events set your context. Depending on the point of
view there can be multiple contexts– each one valid. Creativity and open
thinking has to challenge all assumptions and “sacred cows.” A sudden
change in content or context can create whole new perceptions and make
possible whole new worlds of possibility.
Abstinence
The Pill
Television
YouTube/Hulu.com
Newspapers
On Line Information
US Centered World
Rise of China
What changes or new things do you see that might completely change
the world?
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The Field of All Possibility Worksheet-I
The Interconnectedness of Everything
WHY?
WHY?
WHY?
WHY?
WHY?
The universe is one whole system. Everything is connected to something
which connected to something which is leads to everything being connected
to everything. There is no part that exists or has any meaning outside of the
whole. Many things lead to the next thing. The more open and patient we
are in seeing the interconnections the more we ways we can see to bring in
creativity.
Event______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Why did it happen (what led to it)?
Why did that happen?
Why did that happen?
Why did that happen?
Why did that happen?
As you go deeper what are you learning? On the last “why” make a positive
change and work your way back up and see what might have happened.
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The Field of All Possibility Worksheet II
Connecting with the Field
The idea that anything exists separate and alone in the universe (or in our
lives) is a misperception. It comes from seeing things from a narrow
perspective and of seeing parts without seeing the whole. We all exist
within a field of connections that is always seeking balance.
The Company as a part
1. Focus on a competitive action the company will make_______________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
The Company as the whole
In taking this action __________________ the company must work with___
_____________________________________________________________.
Once this action is taken______________ will respond by doing_________
_____________________________________________________________
To respond to the action of _____________________________________the
company will__________________________________________________.
In responding the company will need to work with_____________________
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Everything is Energy Worksheet
Our relationships with others are composed of energy-they are alive. We energize our
relationships as we learn from others. The assets in our lives have to be used in a loving
manner to create the connections that give meaning to life. The ease in which others can
approach and work with us and our willingness to share our values in an open way raises
the vibration level of our relationships.
Energy Out
Being fearful
Energy In
Acting courageously
Pushing guilt
Being forgiving
Hopelessness
Willingness
Judging others
Accepting others
An event when all the energy left the room_________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
What action, statement or behavior could have raised energy?________
_____________________________________________________________
What opportunity was missed?__________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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