Sometimes you run into a client who wants to live a better life, and you’re doing your best to offer them options to review, to see if you can uncover a spark to ignite the fire of passion, but they keep saying, “I tried that before and it didn’t work.” Maybe you’ve even said it yourself. How can you deal with defeatism?
In our society, defeatism is an accepted (if not preferred) and median state of mind, for the “normal” operation of our socio-economic machine depends upon keeping the masses subdued enough to not reach for excellence, and if they do, to keep the bar so low, that anyone can achieve something without trying too hard, and have an excuse to celebrate an accomplishment.
Like a birthday. You did it! You made it through another year on planet earth! Hooray!
Have you got anything to show for it? Is your life any better than it was the year before? Have you made a significant contribution to your community, or done something to have a positive impact on others?
Oh, and let’s start promoting this proliferation of mediocrity as early as possible, let’s give every kid on the team a trophy just for showing up. Are we keeping the bar low enough?
It’s no surprise when someone attempts any given thing once and walks away dejected assuming that trying again, or something different, might yield a different outcome. Sure, maybe other people could do it, but I can’t.
I Tried That Before and It Didn’t Work
But I get an award for half-assed trying something, right? Yeah, you probably do. You get to tell stories to your friends how you tried and failed, and they reward you because, “At least you tried,” as you reinforce any fears they might have about trying anything, for they would not want to suffer the same disappointing outcome, like you have.
These defeatist stories are prevalent amidst our culture, and they are toxic.
Do we need to find reasons to celebrate? Indeed. Nothing boosts morale like a unbridled celebration, but let it have substance and meaning.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not underplaying the value of celebrating someone getting out of bed, eating some potato chips, and taking a shower, if the person is severely depressed and can’t find a reason to get out of bed.
The celebratory process is a spectrum, on a sliding scale, where improvement is measured on an individual basis, not simply black and white. I’m also not saying that I am disregarding the importance of celebrating small wins.
What I am saying is that there is no impetus to excel, to push beyond the first sign of trouble or resistance.
Giving Up is Status Quo
Unfortunately, in this day and age, mediocrity and giving up is status quo. This is a great disservice in our world, and the powers that be are hoping that you don’t notice… but you are noticing.
You are still noticing that things that you’re told are not ringing true. You’re beginning to notice that when you see something dramatic unfold in the news and media, when reporters tell you what is going on, you’re left feeling like there’s more going on than meets the eye.
You’re left wanting to have a better life. You know there is more to this life, that there is much more for you to give, have, and experience in this life, and you couldn’t be more right.
You see, you came to live this life with your unique and sacred purpose, message, passion, and mission but the system that you were born into was designed to delete this underlying reason for living from your consciousness by the time you reach seven years old. And you are bombarded by data, information, dysfunction, chaos, and fear, to keep you feeling like, “If this is all there is? Well, I will just make the best of it.” Good luck with that.
You’ve done your best to make the best of this, and still, you know there has to be more… and there is.
This is your awakening.
And this awakening is spreading, like a virus, and as more and more of us are waking up, “Giving up,” is no longer a part of the equation.
And no one is talking about it.
The time for empty words, posts, or protests, have no place here. You know what is happening, here?
As people are awakening, they are taking inspired action, pursuing their purpose, message, passion, and mission, taking a step every day toward a world that they want, a world that is waiting for them to arrive, and they are not quitting.
When they encounter resistance, they keep going. They may not battle the resistance (because that may not be the best approach to opposition), but they are quietly but fervently moving forward, not letting anything get to them (at least, not for long).
I rarely work with people who say, “I tried that before and it didn’t work.” (And If I can’t get them to let go of that anchor, I refer them elsewhere.) Instead, I find myself surrounded by the people who are passionate about their lives, what they want, what they can give to others, and the world. These people are awakening, and evolving, and they are going on about their work in silence.
They are not wasting their time complaining about the way things are. They are not talking about it. They are not bragging about it. They are quietly and diligently growing, changing, and becoming more powerful, for a better world.
If that’s you, you’re ready to leave behind the excuses and take your life back.
The time has come for you to live a better life, your best life, and make the world a better place.
