Human Survival
Field Guide.

THE ORDINARY REPERTOIRE / USEFUL IN AN UNFINISHED DAY Practical Human Powers

Power becomes useful when it gives someone a workable next choice.

01 Ask clearly

“Do you have ten minutes to listen?”

Name the help, the time or the information you want. Leave room for a smaller offer or a refusal.

02 Set a limit

“I can do this part. I cannot take on the rest.”

Describe your participation and a next step you can actually carry out.

03 Receive care

“Thank you. I would welcome that.”

Accept a freely offered kindness. Discuss a separate request separately.

04 Pause and choose

“I need a moment before I answer.”

Give yourself room to notice the urge and choose a response that serves the present situation.

05 Change your mind

“I thought this before. I now think this because…”

Keep the revision and its reason visible, including what other people can now rely upon.

06 Make a repair

“I did this. I will correct this part.”

Choose a concrete correction. Allow the other person to decide what follows.

07 Share authority

“Here is the outcome; you can choose the method.”

Give someone the information and actual discretion their responsibility requires.

08 Release with care

“My part ends here. This is what remains.”

Where feasible, agree on a handover with a willing person and a clear stopping point.

Try one power in one manageable exchange. You do not have to perform the whole repertoire at once.