3 Ways Dogs and People Rise
You and I are like dogs. A kicked dog expects to be kicked. When things go bad we expect things to go bad. Passivity and anxiety are normal in the face of prolonged bad events.*
It’s normal to stop trying when you persistently work hard and fall short. When you repeatedly apply for promotion and get turned down, you give up. You stop studying when you study hard and persistently fail.
Job’s wife said, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” Just give up!
You learn to rise. Passivity is normal when you’re repeatedly held down.
Maya Angelou wrote, Still I Rise. It speaks because rising is extraordinary in the face of prolonged adversity.
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
How People Rise:
#1. Encourage yourself.
Encouragement from others helps, but nothing surpasses self-encouragement. Friends might cheer, but until you cheer yourself, you can’t hear them.
Get a grip on self-talk. You talk to yourself constantly. Notice negative self-talk. Teach yourself some encouraging things to say to yourself.
Listen to this girl’s self-talk. Girls first Ski Jump (1 min. 48 sec.)
#2. Confront destructive behaviors.
You do things that cause self-harm and you avoid things that make life better when defeat grips you. Instead of working out, you eat chips and ice cream. Instead of applying for new jobs, you shop or play video games.
Make tiny improvements. Go for an 11 minute walk before you eat chips. Write a targeted cover letter for your resume’.
#3. Practice self-reflection.
Write in a journal for five-minutes before you go to bed.
What gives you strength to rise in the face of prolonged adversity?
How can leaders teach people to rise?
Still curious:
The Most Powerful Words You Hear
15 Things I do to Answer Anxiety in the Morning
5 Ways to Expose Your Inner Critic
*Learned Helplessness at Fifty: Insights from Neuroscience
Love that self talk! That video was awesome. I remember my first time skiing from the top of Arapaho mountain. I did exactly the same thing and she’s right, the worst part was the anticipation!
Thanks Susan. Congratulations on making it down Arapaho mountain! 🙂 … “You got this,” is better than, “You can’t do this.”
There are times when you’re struggling and the right message finds you. This was that message for me today. Thank you!
Wow! That’s wonderful. A good word is a thing of beauty. Best wishes.
Dan, I really enjoy your messages, but today was spot on for me. The girl on her first ski jump made me feel inspired. I must remember not to react negatively even in the face of the negative things going on around me, and to stand tall in the face of the events that are trying to crush me.
Hi Rosemarie. It’s challenging to rise above dark environments, but it’s possible. I think inner resolve is important. Encouraging self-talk helps. Keep standing tall. Maya Angelou’s, “Still I Rise” poem is incredible. Best to you.
Another great post, Dan! Thanks so much for your willingness to share your wisdom!!
And thank you for your encouraging words. Everyone needs a little fuel in the fire.
No dog expects to be kicked since what seems “bad” in human behaviour may well be normal for canine behaviour.
Quoting Job’s wife out of context is to misrepresent the purpose of the scroll of Job.
I don’t know if Angelou was religious at all, but “Seven times the righteous man falls and gets up, While the wicked are tripped by one misfortune.” Proverbs 24:16