Steve Jobs famously said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.”
In life, we gather experiences, knowledge, and insights—these are the dots we later connect to create meaning and innovation.
These dots represent our observations of forms, functions, and styles—things we’ve noted, questioned, and come to understand, either by asking questions or formulating our insights based on prior knowledge.
We then incorporate these dots as foundational elements into new understandings, allowing us to build on what we’ve previously learned.
This article is part of a larger series introducing the key actions in my program aimed at shifting your mindset from limitation to innovation.
Today, we explore The Power of Agreements, which highlights the importance of understanding the rules that govern our perceptions and experiences.
By recognizing and challenging these principles, we can broaden our creative horizons and unlock new pathways for innovative thinking.
While cultures build their beliefs around legacy understandings passed down over generations, few people are ever taught how these same laws structure not just what we perceive but how we perceive it.
As a result, most people experience life without consciously processing the vast amount of information embedded within their experiences, missing out on a wealth of knowledge that could deepen their understanding of reality.
Aligning one’s mindset around the process of ideation first requires building a mental framework around these agreements.
Imagine being thrown into a game so complex that you don’t even realize it’s a game—there are no rules handed to you, no instructions, and yet you must survive. That’s how life begins for each of us.
From birth, we are thrust into a world governed by laws we’re not even aware exist. We’re given a set number of years to figure it out, but the challenge is recognizing and understanding the rules that shape our perceptions.
Some of us learn the rules of persuasion, selling, or mastering the art of communication, but very few truly understand the mental framework that governs everything.
We occasionally hear about principles like Vibration, Rhythm, Cause & Effect, and Polarity in connection with meditation or philosophy, but how many of us actually comprehend the ancient wisdom behind these universal laws?
These laws are the agreements that dictate how we collect the dots—how we perceive and understand the world.
In the first instalment of this series on ideation, I introduced the concept that everything unfolds according to a process, and these processes are governed by rules. These rules, or Agreements, apply universally, shaping the way we see and interact with reality.
The more aware we are of these rules, the more effectively we can collect dots, leverage them, or avoid obstacles to achieve greater success in innovation and creation.
Consider the sun’s daily cycle—rising and setting, day after day. We take this process for granted, structuring our lives around it without consciously acknowledging the countless laws in play, from the sun’s motion to its impact on life beneath its rays.
This natural cycle repeats with absolute certainty, yet most of us are unaware of the rules that make it possible, but also how those same rules unconsciously determine our actions as well.
Isaac Newton, the father of classical physics, recognised the importance of understanding the laws governing the movements of celestial bodies. Though renowned for his scientific discoveries, Newton was also deeply interested in esotericism, particularly the Emerald Tablet, which he studied throughout his life. Newton didn’t just observe the world—he sought to understand the hidden agreements that structured reality.
His study of these principles led to his formulation of the three laws of motion, which not only revolutionized science but also provided a logical framework for how the world operates.
Newton’s First Law emphasizes the relationship between rest and motion and how external forces trigger change.
Newton’s Law states, “An object at rest remains at rest unless acted upon by an external force.”
This aligns with the ancient principle that “nothing comes from nothing”—without an initiating force, there is no change or motion.
Similarly, “an object in motion continues in motion unless disrupted,”
reflecting the concept that “from something (motion) comes something sub-similar.”
Once motion begins, continuous change unfolds, producing new outcomes that evolve.
In Newton’s framework, this is exemplified by the movement of planets, which shift to new positions as time progresses, illustrating the ongoing nature of motion and change.
Newton’s Second Law emphasizes the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration, stating that
“The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the force applied and inversely proportional to its mass.”
This law aligns with the Hermetic Law of Correspondence, where changes at one level mirror changes at another.
Greater force results in greater acceleration, reflecting a universal pattern of correspondence. The Law of Rhythm also plays a role here, illustrating that motion follows a predictable ebb and flow, much like acceleration and deceleration occur in natural cycles.
Together, these principles show that once motion is initiated, it leads to rhythmic and consistent progression, much like the orbits of planets moving in cycles over time.
Newton’s Third Law of Motion (Action and Reaction) states,
“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
This law mirrors the Hermetic Law of Cause and Effect, which states that
“Every cause has an effect, and every effect has a cause.”
This principle of causality governs all actions, whether they are physical interactions or involve thoughts, intentions, and energy. Newton applied this to physical forces, but the ancient law extends beyond that, encompassing all realms of experience, reminding us that every action we take has corresponding consequences.
Newton’s three laws, drawn from ancient wisdom, provide a framework for understanding more than just planetary motion—they reveal the laws governing reality itself.
As Newton demonstrated, once we become aware of these agreements, we can better understand the world and harness our ability to innovate.
By aligning yourself with these fundamental principles and agreements, you gain the ability to consciously direct your creative energy.
The first action, The Power of Agreements, helps you recognize and challenge the rules that shape your experiences, broadening your creative horizons and opening new pathways for innovation.
Perception is the key to unlocking innovation, and it begins with collecting the dots in our experiences. Steve Jobs’ insight about connecting dots and looking backwards is central to ideation.
By understanding the rules that govern how we perceive and collect the dots of knowledge, insight, and experience, we create the foundation for breakthrough innovation.
Over the course of this newsletter series, we will explore the detection and collection of these dots, focusing on perception, the laws that govern reality, and how the innovative mind overcomes challenges.
The more dots you collect and understand, the better equipped you’ll be to connect them to meaningful, innovative solutions.
Follow this newsletter if you’re interested in learning more about the power of perception and the process of unlocking your ideation potential
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