As they say, ‘scarcity captures the mind’.  It causes us tunnel vision - we can’t see the forest for the trees. We have a shortage of bandwidth - we use our cognitive energy and abilities to focus on the scarcity problem. Which means, our tired and myopic brains make poor decisions and we don’t have the energy for ‘executive function’ - how we manage and organise our thoughts. Go on, try to resist the temptation of a piece of chocolate cake when you have limited bandwidth.  Studies show it becomes FAR more difficult. 

The amazing research team at the Good Shift, a systems thinking and change institute in Australia, have outlined seven different change worldviews. Seven. No wonder people often think they are on the same page, but when we dig into the deep work of change, we’re misaligned.

I was seven years old, staring at a toilet paper roll that was supposed to be an angel. It looked like a craft disaster. The wet glue felt sticky on my fingers, and I was gluing my own hand instead of the cardboard.

The diminishing returns of economic growth have been demonstrated time and again. If Cambridge really is a city of world-shaping ideas, where is the space for a deepened understanding of different perceptions of economic reality and possibility?

For humans to survive, our collective need is a radical shift towards a regenerative (not extractive) relationship with nature. This will only happen at the scale necessary if we fundamentally shift our thinking about our relationship with the natural world.

“Go where the tension is”, is a phrase a dear friend of mine who is a seasoned facilitator and quantitative researcher loves to use. Why? Think about a rubber band pulled as tense as possible. The only way beyond the tension is release - and when the band releases, it flies.

WE are the powerful. We must believe it for it to be true. That starts by editing the story we tell ourselves about our perceived limits.

‘It’s more apt to say that what I am feeling is fear. That’s a perfectly normal human feeling and when I think of the Pink Panther, I quickly reject the idea that I’m an imposter.’

If you haven’t met the team at Fitzroy Street or in our online community rooms,  please allow me to introduce you to the Together Culture CIC Community Development Team.

If you haven’t met the team at Fitzroy Street or in our online community rooms,  please allow me to introduce you to the Together Culture CIC Non Executive Board of Directors. 

Together Culture is strong in making things happen and demonstrating that groundswell can build when we approach things with curiosity and openness to change. The vision has been informed by those who engage and it feels live and responsive.

The vision and the forward-looking intentions of Together Culture in this area in Cambridge and as a community are inspiring.

The enthusiasm, encouragement and support from everyone has helped me to focus, be accountable and build momentum in my business.

For the first time I realised we have a choice to live in autopilot mode or create what doesn't exist yet.

When I joined Together Culture there wasn't even a building ready, and from the very beginning contributing to make it happen made me feel being part of something good. I’m giving back to the community that has given me so much in just a few years.

I'm a writer, and have been for what feels like my entire life. Monthly sessions with Kate Rhodes called 'Turn Up and Write' has been teaching me new things, lets me share my ideas to get a variety of feedback, and provides a specific time to write and brainstorm.

We are a great group with different voices. We can sing together as a choir, giving space and rhythm to each other.

The people I have met have enriched my life in a way that I think goes beyond a normal co-working space like WeWork.

Experiencing the community is an important part of the process - there is something new and different with Together Culture, and it takes time to understand.

What I’m working on now is more about the process. You know, what am I going through? What am I thinking about? How can I express myself?