“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
Thomas Edison
We’ve all been there – stuck in a rut, feeling like opportunities are nowhere to be found. But what if opportunities were all around us, just waiting to be noticed? That’s the transformative concept behind Red Car Theory.
You could pass a hundred red cars when out and about every day without ever seeing them, if red cars aren’t on your radar. But if I told you I would pay you $100 for every red car you saw, you would start actively searching for red cars, and notice them everywhere.
Red Car Theory states that we often miss opportunities simply because we aren’t looking for them.
This simple idea can massively shift our mindset. By training our brains to look for opportunities, we begin to see possibilities in the everyday. Tiny moments become doorways that can change our lives, if only we learn to look for the metaphorical red cars.
The Origins of Red Car Theory
Red Car Theory has its roots in mindfulness and positive psychology. It likely stems from the “looking glass self” concept proposed by sociologist Charles Cooley in 1902. Cooley suggested our self-image is based largely on how we believe others see us.
Expanding on this, Red Car Theory notes our perceived reality also depends heavily on what we choose to notice and focus on. The world is neutral; our minds assign meaning. We see what we aim to see.
Red Car Theory builds on Abraham Maslow’s concept in psychology of the law of the instrument. Maslow said that when all you have is a hammer, everything begins to look like a nail. What we’re seeking shapes what we find.
So in essence, Red Car Theory uses our innate selective attention to expand our consciousness. By intentionally looking for opportunities, we train our minds to see possibilities and chances where we previously saw none.
Seeking Red Cars: A Metaphor for Possibility
In Red Car Theory, red cars represent possibility. They are the idea or opportunity that’s been there all along, but suddenly grabs our attention when we determine to notice it.
Anything can be a metaphorical red car – a conversation that leads to an introduction, a new hobby that opens up a career path, a menu item that sparks a business idea. Red cars can be big or small, life-altering or everyday moments.
We need to reframe daily experiences so these red cars catch our eye. The more we intentionally scan for possibility, the more we find it. Our minds shape our reality.
Neurologically, this makes sense. Our brains filter about 400 billion bits of information each second. Of those, we consciously process roughly 2,000 bits per second. We see only what we choose to pay attention to. Red Car Theory says we can hack our unconscious filtering process to see more opportunities.
Refocusing Your Scanner
Is it really possible to train your brain to notice chances you’ve been missing? Science and experience say yes. Here are three key steps:
- Prime Your Scanner: To find red cars, you need to be looking for red cars. Similarly, tell your brain specifically what opportunities you want it to flag. Give it keywords or pictures representing your goals.
- See the Matrix: Assume opportunities are everywhere, just outside your consciousness. Believe fully that you only have to spot the red cars passing you already. Live in a state of readiness.
- Expand Your Lens: Don’t just watch for red cars on your route. Pivot your scanner to see colours, brands, models. Opportunity takes infinite forms. Regularly refresh keywords and expand possibilities.
With practice, you will learn to see everyday things differently. A commute becomes a possibility parade. A grocery aisle turns into a business ideation session. Conversations transform into connection incubators.
But you have to believe opportunities abound before your brain will show them to you. Trust that the matrix has endless red cars once you start looking.
Retrain Your Brain
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” – Seneca
Now that you know how to find red cars, it’s time to actively retrain your brain. Make opportunity seeking a daily habit.
Here are five techniques to build your red car scanning skills:
- Verbalize intention: Begin each day by stating aloud your plan to seek red cars. Give your brain a clear directive. “Today I will see opportunities everywhere.”
- Note sightings: Keep a red car tally. Physically mark when you spot possibility. This builds neural pathways in the brain to take notice faster.
- Vary your view: Experience familiar situations through a new lens. Shop a new grocery aisle. Take a walk in your neighbourhood, but admire architecture. New perspectives unlock new red cars.
- Make it a game: Turn red car spotting into a team contest. Who can tally the most sightings? This makes opportunity seeking fun.
- Question everything: Ask “could this be my red car?” about all you experience. Curiousity builds possibility-scanning muscles.
At first, actively scanning for opportunities may feel exhausting. But in time, it becomes automatic. You learn the brain’s natural filtering can work for, not against, you.
Seeing More By Looking For Less
Here’s an interesting Red Car Theory paradox – when we expand what we’re looking for, we actually begin to see less. We become more selective about which red cars we choose to follow.
Too many possibilities can be overwhelming. So we have to tune our scanners to notice only what matters most.
Often, less is more with Red Car Theory. We have to balance openness with focus. The key is keeping our scanning flexible, not hypervigilant. Fixed expectations will cause us to miss game-changing wild cards.
So regularly check in with yourself: Are you still scanning for red cars from a place of possibility? Or has your seeking hardened into expectation? Stay open and ready for unexpected gifts.
The Compounding Effect
The more we practice Red Car Theory, the more natural opportunity spotting becomes. We build mental muscles for possibility.
Seeking red cars positively impacts many other areas of life:
- Improved pattern recognition skills – we become better at quickly identifying what we want when we see it.
- Increased gratitude – consciously spotting chances fosters thankfulness for the chances we do have.
- Greater self-confidence – consistently seeing possibility helps us believe we can find it again.
- Expanded connections – red car watching builds relationships as we share and celebrate our sightings with others.
- More windfalls – believing in good fortune attracts more of it, becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Soon we spot red cars not just in potential opportunities, but also in missed chances. Hindsight becomes insight. Past red cars help us predict where future ones will appear.
Shared Scanning
While we can seek red cars alone, the journey is often more meaningful when shared.
Watching for opportunities together builds bonds. Celebrating red car wins provides encouragement. When someone else’s red car scanner is broken, we can loan them ours.
Shared scanning creates a rising tide, lifting more red cars into view for all. The more minds looking intentionally, the more chances everyone can see. It becomes a collaborative game of possibility.
So bring others along for the red car ride. Let’s lift each other’s potential by looking for it together.
Overcoming Roadblocks
Of course, even watching closely for red cars won’t guarantee you notice every single one. Distractions happen. Some limitations are beyond our control.
Environments constraining opportunity:
If you’re surrounded by skeptics who deny red cars exist, it’s easy to have your sightings mocked. Negativity is kryptonite for spotting red cars.
Try scanning for red cars in unlikely places to keep your vision unclouded by naysayers. Take note of glimpsed possibilities before sharing them widely. Seek out those who want to see what you see.
Busyness blinding your vision:
When we’re moving too fast, red cars become a blur. It takes mental margin to spot opportunity.
Build in time to intentionally scan each day – on your commute, taking a walk, in the shower. Schedule space to process red car moments.
Big-picture focus missing the small:
We risk missing game-changing micro red cars if our sights are set only on macro ones. Small daily chances are opportunities too.
Practice zooming your scanner in and out, near and far. Regularly reset expectations. You never know what level red car will change everything.
Regained sight:
If you feel you’ve lost your ability to see red cars, don’t worry! Simply retracing your steps will restore it.
Return to the fundamentals – verbalizing intent, tallying sightings, questioning surroundings. Recall past red car moments as inspiration.
Your red car vision is still there, just waiting to be reactivated. Start scanning again today.
When You See Only Roadblocks…
If you feel progress is stalled and red cars are nowhere in sight, here are three questions to ask yourself:
- Am I looking for the right red cars? Consider if your goals or definitions of opportunity need to shift.
- Am I looking in the right places? Try changing your environment, activities or mindset to spur new sightings.
- Am I looking for red cars for the right reasons? Check your motivation. Are you seeking opportunities with purpose, not pressure?
Take time to reset and refocus when necessary. Then start fresh with an open mind. New red cars will come into view to restart your journey.
It’s Time to See Red
“Don’t wait for opportunities. Create them.”
Chris Grosser
Few of us recognize just how many opportunities speed past us each day. But once you embrace Red Car Theory, you’ll start noticing chances everywhere.
Possibility is always much closer than we think. We need only tune our minds to see it.
So take the first step – tell yourself you will start scanning purposefully for opportunities. Watch for the beauty of red cars.
You’ll be amazed how vibrant the world becomes when you choose to see its hidden potential. Opportunity is everywhere for the taking, if you just know where to look.
The choice is yours. Will you start seeing red cars today? I can’t wait to hear about all the exciting places they take you!