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- June 28, 2013
“Inner Voices” on Radiolab
June 28, 2013Read moreI sometimes wonder if all the writing, reflection, and reframing I do is hinders or helps; the Radiolab episode Inner Voices is stuffed with research-based anecdotes in a crisply-produced package. For example, the performance gap between genders on math tests that are attributed to inner voices and how they can be made to disappear, voice actor Mel Blanc’s life (and death) relationship to his characters, and the musician who can play four symphonies in his head simultaneously with to-the-note accuracy. Very cool!
- June 26, 2013
Restless Click Syndrome: A Fable
June 26, 2013Read moreOne of the reasons for starting a “productivity reboot” was the savage onset of click madness. At various times of the day, I would find myself falling into a haze and clicking on various news and social media sites to see what was new and exciting. I would click down the list, and then at the end of it would start again. One day I noticed that I’d done this three times in a row, and realized that I had a problem. This was mindless junkie clicking! My brain, for some reason fogged, had fallen into hamster-like button-pushing treat-seeking cycle of blahness. And so, I began my productivity reboot to put an end to it.
Last night around 9PM, though, I noticed a recurrence of the behavior. Uh oh. What to do? (more…)
- June 25, 2013
New Habits: Occupying Uncertainty, Finding Happy Bubbles
June 25, 2013Read more
After reflecting on yesterday’s post summarizing what I learned from a six-week productivity reboot, I’ve decided to develop two habits:
- Consciously identifying when I am experiencing Uncertain and Negative Reactions, then embracing them.
- Generate energy by finding the “Happy Bubble of Mental Engagement” that lives in every task, even the boring ones.
I think that developing these habits will help me chip away at the mountain of tasks! Read onward for the details. (more…)
- June 24, 2013
Productivity Reboot Conclusion: A Summary of Insights
June 24, 2013Read moreOn May 8, I started a productivity reboot to see if I could improve my level of energy, which had been fading in the face of the many business-related tasks before me. Today, I’m ready to make some conclusions and conclude the reboot.
To summarize: I made many observations over the past several weeks, and found that I kept coming back to the problem of energy sources and the mental resistances that sapped them. I was able to identify ways to reduce resistance that was due to my own attitude, but I still lacked a true reliable power source, which I’ll call my Prime Motivator. I think I’ve discovered what it is, and it’s so fundamental that I am kicking myself for not seeing it before: it’s mental stimulation, and the pursuit there of.
Before I get to that, though, let me recap the findings of the entire six-week productivity reboot. It’s a doozy of a review, but I hope you’ll find it interesting.
[update: I had used the phrase “mental engagement” instead of “mental stimulation” in several places, and I’ve corrected that. Stimulation is the more visceral term.]
- June 21, 2013
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
June 21, 2013Read moreLauren Bacon has a really great article on Imposter Syndrome, the tendency for some people to not acknowledge recognition for their accomplishments because they feel it isn’t deserved for one reason or another. I suffer from this myself every time someone calls me an “expert”; I instantly demure, saying that I only write about what I experience, and that my knowledge and skills are not all-encompassing enough, blah blah. I hate disappointing people, and I rationalize my behavior by telling myself it’s prudent not to raise the hopes of others, since that would leave them open to the dangerous repercussions that might come from following whatever so-called advice I had. It also has prevented me from really pushing the various productivity forms I’ve made, because I’m not 100% sure that they will work for everyone. In fact, I’m sure they won’t work for everyone. People tell me I’m being silly, but I still haven’t resolved the WHY and HOW of it.
That is, until today. Lauren makes the observation that there’s a difference between expertise and infallibility, and proceeds to dissect the ramifications of not embracing your own expertise. Take heart! There are plentiful reasons why you should overcome imposter syndrome.
What I am reminded of is that there’s an underlying moral imperative that exists for me: while I didn’t want to inadvertently lead people astray with my pedantic mumblings, to not stand up for what I’m saying does not help people either. I want to see people overcome their own self-imposed barriers and achieve the kind of happiness they can share with the world. In that context, I owe it to myself as part of this community of happiness-seekers to powerfully broadcast the signal.
What I don’t like about the “expert” label is that I think it implies “superiority”. It also promises “superlative excellence”, which creates expectation, and expectation is the fertile minefield where disappointment lurks. As I hate disappointing people, I tend to avoid setting high expectations for my forms, which in turn diminishes their appeal because it looks like I don’t believe in them. However, I think I can reframe “expert” as a label not for myself, but for others who are looking for something. It’s part of being a beacon or a repeater of certain positive memes. That is a responsibility that I should be willing to take, as uncomfortable as it makes me feel, because it’s good for me and for my imagined tribe, whoever they may be. This feels a little half-baked to me still, but it’s a start.
Anyway, Lauren’s article is an insightful jumping-off point for examining your own imposter syndrome, if you happen to have it banging around inside your head. If you’re a procrastinator or have felt that that your own misgivings embarrass or hold you back, you may find this an enlightening read.
» Read Expert Enough, Take 2: Why Imposter Syndrome Matters, and How to Overcome It on laurenbacon.com
