Informed but not worried
Being aware of what’s happening in the world at large can help one be prepared, but it can also lead to anxiety. Uncertainty is a fact of life yet preparation, planning doesn’t have to include needless worry.
Reacting is normal but what’s next?
When the stock market tanks 800 points in one day or your family doctor tells you that your recent bloodwork is concerning you naturally react to a stressful situation. The Greeks and early Stoics called this ‘phantasiai’, or the immediate impression you form. The question is what will you do next?
Fatalism is tricky. One for its meaning being widely misunderstood and two for how pernicious it is to those who have unwittingly embraced it.
While its name may engender some confusion, fatalism does not mean one eagerly awaits death- however it may be the death of hope, achievement, and satisfaction. Fatalism derives its name from the fabled fates who spun the future of mere humans who were powerless to change the outcome.
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Fatalism typically manifests itself in the belief that no matter what one does the die has been cast leaving us powerless to change the outcome. It hinges largely in the belief of Predeterminism- that all events have been established in advance.
Such ideologies may sound absurd in today’s society that exalts technology, science, and rational thought. However, regardless of our educational pedigree, intellect, or even good intentions we can find ourselves embracing this dark philosophy. Fatalism triumphs over those who believe in it.
Here are just a few examples of fatalistic thinking.
Negativity and fatalism are close cousins and sap our faith, hope, and perseverance which begs the question- how does one steer clear of fatalistic thinking?
Here are a few ways to avoid fatalism
In conclusion, it can be said that fatalism can be fatal to your hopes, dreams, and achievements. The trick is to identify it and steer clear.
Finding the small advantage for a win
Do you remember a time when facing certain defeat you found a way to pull out a win? An inconspicuous, unnoticed, and seemingly unimportant detail that shifted the tide into your favor?
Last Friday Redding California was hit by a freak hailstorm. And like hail, unaddressed problems become larger the longer they remain in the air…
Seneca recounts the story of a fellow philosopher Crates walking the streets of Athens when he came upon a young man talking to himself. “What are you doing?”, he asked. The man replied, “I’m talking to myself”. “Be careful” said Crates, “for you are communicating with a bad man!”.
An interesting story which illustrates the importance of…
Admiral Stockdale said, “I never lost faith in the end of the story, I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which, in retrospect, I would not trade”.
It is your core principals which governed your choices, albeit imperfectly, and how you made others…
After walking out to my car the find a fresh yellow blanket of pollen, and sneezing so loudly I wondered if nearby drivers could hear me, allergies came to mind. Top of mind.
Allergies are our body’s immune system reacting abnormally to a foreign substance it sees as harmful. We are familiar with common allergies, but what about mental allergies? That is how we react to negative stimuli or situations in our environment.
One effective method is immunotherapy. Immunotherapy patients with severe pollen allergies have minute doses of the offending allergens introduced into their bodies in increasing doses over time until the body produces its own immunity. Applying this method to mental or emotional allergies has its merits as well. If you’re fearful of a specific situation, make it a point to place yourself in that circumstance and practice a new more effective response.
If you find yourself riddled with anxiety, begin to employ healthy methods to reduce and ultimately sooth your troubled mind. Are you continually vexed with rudeness, dishonesty or selfishness? Make it a point to eliminate all contact with toxic individuals whenever possible. Living with allergies is no fun, but doing nothing to treat them is even worse. What mental allergies do you encounter and how do you overcome them?
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Sales is a tricky business and can tempt you to ‘put on’ a different persona which can sabotage your sales success. This week we look at five keys to remaining authentic…
