Guilty Sweets of Magical Thinking

Time To Read: 3 mins

 

I admit that I am guilty of magical thinking. Are you similarly afflicted? I often feel like I can do what might appear to be well-nigh impossible. “I can do that,” I think.

Superhero daring. I just watched Lion, the 2016 film nominated for an Academy Award for Best Motion Picture—Drama. There’s a scene where the main character, five-year old Saroo, lifts a chair over his head and a heavy two-wheel bike to his chin to prove to his older brother Guddu that he’s strong enough to go with him to the next town over to do night work to earn some money. I related to that boy.

I might be watching an amazing talent on Netflix deliver an applause-worthy standup routine and after appreciating her, I might say to myself, “I can do that. I can become a solid stand-up comic.” I feel inspired.

I might read about a 65 year old who runs sub-6 minute miles, mile after mile, over 26.2 miles, and trains daily for weeks, months, years no matter the weather, her mood, or injury. I think, “Yeah, if I want to, I could. I could train my body and find the mental fortitude, if I want it bad enough.” I feel challenged.

My magical thinking gives me superhero daring to believe I have the power within me to do whatever I set my mind to. I imagine that I can become what I may admire. My belief in myself in these moments is deep and sincere. I feel excited and springy.

Continue reading “Guilty Sweets of Magical Thinking”

Stuck in a Rut? Shift Your Focus.

Time To Read: 2 mins

 

Stuck? Feet glued to the floor? Unable to move forward? There are some things for some of us that are just tough to get started on.

Let’s say you’ve been stuck in your current job for a while now and you haven’t had much positive momentum. Your performance reviews haven’t been awful—more lackluster in quality. You see your colleagues starting new positions, leading new projects, and thriving.

You haven’t exactly made your wishes known to your supervisor or manager that you are interested in earning more or taking on more responsibility because you know you haven’t followed her advice in the past to do what in her eyes needs to get done like publish more, form more valuable strategic relationships, lead a few committees, or the like.

You feel both resistant to these suggestions and a bit of self-loathing for not taking the initiative to make the case that you deserve a promotion or to be considered for a plum position.

You’re stuck and in a rut. Continue reading “Stuck in a Rut? Shift Your Focus.”