Possibility Artists

(or the importance of people that pump up the tyres on your dreams)

In recent months, I've had the privilege of spending time with friends and family across the globe. They’ve all been at different stages of their lives; some nursing babies, some nursing worn hips. Over plenty of wine, cheese, and pasta, I’ve found myself actively engaged in conversations about sourdough, inflation, interest rates, Waymo, Wordle, mineral sunscreens, Rivians, robotic baby cribs, bitcoin, and Yuka scores.

However, chats with two particular sets of friends have left a lasting impression on me. The first, with Lisa and Banks* around a long table in Granada. The second, on Courtney** and Michael's wooden porch.

These stuck out, because I call these people Possibility Artists, which in my definition means that they:

• make bold, life-altering decisions (such as leaving a business they founded or selling a cherished home)

• fearlessly embrace the unknown (like uprooting their lives to travel the world)

• are willing to humbly start from scratch as amateurs (such as committing to actually learning a new language or starting to surf as an adult).

Perhaps, most crucially, they don't appear to be threatened, jealous, or unsupportive when their friends make daring choices, venture into the unknown, or humbly attempt to learn something new. Instead, they enthusiastically say, "Hell yes, you should do that!". They pump up the tyres on other people’s dreams. They practice the art of possibility. This mindset is something my parents, Iain and Ingrid, have always embodied, which may explain why I find it so appealing.

(nb. drawing is not one of my dreams)

These conversations with these Possibility Artists have inspired Kaitlin and I to make some significant, courageous decisions in recent weeks. We're about to step into the unknown and humbly pursue some new dreams. I'll share more details about what that looks like soon.

But for now, I'd like to ask you: Do you have enough Possibility Artists in your life? If someone comes to mind, consider sending them this post and letting them know that their name came to mind. If you can't think of any, is it worth making it a challenge for 2025 to seek some out?

*Banks shares great insights in his monthly newsletter.

**Courtney has a fantastic Substack here.