Decoding Transformation — Pragmatic Series
Pragmatism Series#10: Affirm an Uncomfortable self-initiated Action as Response, Peacefulness Guaranteed!
Any outcome to become favorable requires a shift in the mindset followed by a change in action or task that are usually performed. This general rule can be applied to any situation in any field, from sports to business to social activities, even at an individual level.
At the outset, this looks simple; however, the depth and breadth of information in the form of memories stored for years comes in the way between the objectives/target/desire and outcome.
The years and years of “Information fed” can build a “Great Wall” or be like an “Open-Close Bridge” that give way for traffic movements. A “Great wall” keeps building on information as memories without any filter or a checkpoint. On the other hand, an Open-Close bridge allows traffic of information with some filter or a specifically defined checkpoint. Either way, whether it is a Great Wall, or an Open-Close bridge is reflective of the mindset. When faced with many scenarios, a rigid or a flexible mindset comes in the way between the objectives/target/desire and outcome.
The above reflection of thought is from the below two profound quotes:
Quote A: “what happens in one’s life is out of their control, but how one responds to it is in their control.”
Quote B: A Buddhist saying, “pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” In other words, it is a message of two arrows. The first arrow hits as an adverse situation that comes into our lives. The second arrow is our reaction to the stimulus generated by self.
Interestingly both these saying emphasizes our responses to situations that are the only thing under our control. Whether it is a stressful situation, or any other adverse situation faced can be eased out by our response. Sporting a mindset of the Great Wall will increase the aggravation. On the other hand, sporting a mindset of an Open-Close Bridge will alleviate the aggravation.
Facing varieties of Situations or receiving loads of information is inevitable. Our response lies in moving out of the comfort zone. In other words, cultivate the habit of doing something different from a usual response by putting oneself in an “uncomfortable” zone.
Sporting an “Open-Close Bridge” mindset lets one know situations or information and filter the unnecessary overload. To cultivate this mindset, one need not wait for the situation, instead initiate to do things that one has always refrained from doing. The reasons could have been due to fear of failure or an excellent external validation (or criticisms). The reasons are out of one’s control, but a new action as a response is the only thing in control.
Remember, any outcome to become favorable requires a shift in the mindset followed by a change in action or task that are usually performed. A widely used technique is the “Technique of positive Affirmation.” It is visualizing in mind the “uncomfortable” response that you always refrained from doing — an action imagining in mind ending in a positive note. For example, this imagination or visualization could be about any adventurous sports or public speaking or express social media views.
“Imagining an action or your involvement in a situation that made you feel uncomfortable, over a period will become a normal situation to face in reality.”
This Technique programs the mind to sport an “Open-Close bridge” approach.
The ultimate objective is being peaceful with oneself: “Be Bold to Get uncomfortable to create peace.”
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