Blinded by Thought

Have you ever been caught on a teeter-totter between too much and too little focus?

Blinded by Thought

Thich Nhat Hanh, asked how he would describe Americans.  He said, “Lost in thought.”  Speaking simply for myself, I would have to agree.

New boss.  New client.  Either way, you’re headed to a meeting with her now.  All you know about her is rumor and reputation.  She has a reputation for being tough and rumor has it that she will not toerate anything but getting things done on time, on budget and on target.  You don’t think it can get done.  You feel your heart pumping and your feet feel a little like lead.

What state would work best for you in this meeting?  On the one hand, you could go with what you are feeling now -  nervous and rattled.  Even though that is the reality, you question how effective you will be if you walk in and she sees that.  On the other hand, you don’t want to be too relaxed.  You don’t want to look like a slouch.

Cyril Bouquet and Ben Bryant, both professors at IMD, and international school for developing business leaders.  discuss in the article below that seeking a balance between two states is where we find our best selves.  These two states are fixation and relaxation.

Fixation

Fixation is that feeling of tunnel vision.  You are so focused on the goal of making a good impression – do it right, look her in the eyes, stay on point – that you may miss visible cues that tell you that the direction you are heading is wrongheaded.

A reader recently disagreed pretty strongly with a post I wrote a while ago, The Myth of Positive Thinking, 1 and 2.  He used the quote from Henry Ford, saying “If  you think you can, or you think you can’t, you are right.”

In one sense he is right. It’s easy to get fixated on either one of those and miss what’s going on at the moment.

Relaxation

The opposite extreme may also get you into deep water you will have trouble swimming out of.  If you are two relaxed, maybe as a reaction to the tension you have been feeling about the meeting, you may also miss cues that would normally tell you which direction the conversation is going

So, how do you strike a balance.?  How do you go into a possibly tense situation in a state of readiness and awareness?

Relaxation and fixation (at the wrong times) can maneuver your brain into either sloppiness or rigidity.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness, both as an ongoing practice and as a way of carrying yourself in a state of readiness.  I often talk to people about what is known as the fight or flight response.  Most think that they are brain and body states that cause a person to fight or flee.  Although it may seem counterintuitive, this isn’t entirely true.  The state of arousal that is preceeded by that faint “noise in the woods” does cause brain chemicals to be pumped into your system.  The difference is that what they do is get your ready to fight or flee, or, to be more precise, they cause a state of readiness.

Mindfulness can help you notice the thoughts going through you head and the feelings courcing through your body as an observer instead of a participant.

LEADERSHIP – THE NOTION OF MINDFULNESS – For better self-management and better leadership – By Professors Cyril Bouquet and Ben Bryant – Building on Talent – Mobilizing People.

Mindfulness is pretty simple.  First, you have to notice that you are thinking. Second, beging to look at the thought instead of through them

And don’t forget to breathe.

Beautiful art by Tambako

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