She lives so large, she makes superheros nervous.

Edna Mode, referred to as "E" (analogous to Superman’s "S", or Mr. Incredible’s "I"), fashion designer and costumer of superheros in Pixar’s The Incredibles, packs so much juice, boldness, and raw energy into her tiny frame that she’s a force to be reckoned with, even for indestructible superheros.

If E can have that kind of effect on fantastically empowered champions, imagine what thinking like E could do for you.

Superheroes are easy, darling. Mediocrity is much more difficult to work with—and it is in such great supply.

Why You Should Think Hard About Thinking Big

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gari.baldi

As you know by now, a big part of my approach to work is about healing the voices within that keep us from showing up at our best.

So when I got tagged (more on that in a second) for Peter’s “Think Different” challenge, it was a no-brainer; the idea, basically, is to try thinking differently about something in your life that you’ve been holding as a negative… start thinking positively about it, and see what happens.

(The “tagging” debacle? I was told by Tristan Loo of the Synergy Institute that he tagged me, but he actually tagged a different Adam (he has since added me to his tagged list, though!). I sorta put it out of my mind, but then Jennifer Mannion of Heal Pain Naturally tagged me from her post… so that’s when I figured the Universe was trying to tell me something!)

As the wind bloweth

Now, thinking differently about something you’re holding as a negative is good… and, in my experience, it can be like trying to keep a paper cup on a picnic table in a wind storm. You can try to keep your thoughts in the positive, but if you’ve got a strong wind — belief systems, in this case — that keep on blowing the same way they have been, then you can try all you want to keep that cup on the table, but it isn’t going to happen.

If you want to keep your thoughts positive, you’ve got to (more…)

Imagine a red-eyed, drooling timber wolf breathing over your shoulder while you sit at your computer.

Your fingers tremble… the monitor fogs up… but still, you try to type those emails.

Pretty soon, though, your fear is going to get the best of you. And when that happens, being productive is going to become very, very difficult.

You’ll procrastinate, avoid, daydream; anything to not have to face the feeling that at any moment, that wolf could get… hungry.

Far fetched? Not really…

When you’re working, you hear negative thoughts in your head all the time. Thoughts of doubt, fear, disbelief that you’re on the right track, or that you’re capable of doing what you need and want to do.

It’s these negative voices that most often cause procrastination, avoidance of responsibility, and struggle when trying to move forward. I mean, really, how can you focus enough to act productively when you’ve got that wolf salivating in your ear?

What do you do?

Ignore the feelings? No; living in denial is like trying to pretend the wolf isn’t there, breathing over your shoulder… the fear eats away at you until you’re a quivering, gelatinous mess.

Okay, so engage with it, then? No, not that, either; how successful do you think you’ll be, trying to convince the wolf to leave you alone? Are your popsicle-stick fingers going to be much of a match for the wolf’s powerful, gnashing teeth? Are your feeble arguments and affirmations going to diffuse the might of the darkness, with its persistent persuasions and perennial perjuries?

No, you’d have better luck trying to eat the wolf before it eats you.

Well, what’s left?

What you need is a bear — a big, hungry Kodiak brown bear — one that’s on your side, that is. One glimpse of your big brown pal is going to send that scrawny wolf packing.

Where are you going to find such a big, furry friend?

Where else? Inside your heart.

Let me break this down for you:

In many traditions around the world, when speaking of the Divine, the term “The Truth” is often used. So if the Divine is Truth, what is its opposite?

Falsehood. Lies.

If there was someone you knew who lied 100% of the time, would you listen? Would you still hang out with them?

Or would you sever the relationship, wishing them the best, but getting them out of your life?

Of course you would. Listening to a lying voice all the time would be draining beyond belief.

So, why listen to the wolf? Why listen to the thoughts of negativity that tell you it won’t work, that you can’t do it, that you’re not good enough? You know where they lead. You know they’re falsehood and lies. Isn’t that clear enough?

It’s a simple equation, really.

The more you humor it, the more it will persist. And aren’t you ready to get those kinds of doubts out of your life? Haven’t you procrastinated enough? Haven’t they gotten the best of you for too long?

Okay, but how do I do it?

Turn away. Ignore them. Go to the light. As soon as you sense those wolf-thoughts ramping up for another sabotaging strike, be firm: grab hold of your inner bear — your connection to the Divine — and don’t let go.

But isn’t this just denial? I mean, the wolf has got me! Don’t I have to deal with it?

If the wolf has you — meaning, you’re gripped by the reactions of having listened to the fears and doubts already — then yes, you have to deal with it. And the best way to deal with it is to put the bear to work, fast.

Turn to the wisdom and strength of the Truth to get free from the jaws of illusion. Turn to your heart’s knowing, and see what it does to the fear.

But 90% of the time, you can sense the wolf creeping up on you, can’t you? When you start to apply yourself at work, you can feel a subtle sense of dread as the doubts and fears start welling up inside you. That’s the wolf, walking into the room.

And here’s why I’m writing this article:

If you think the only way to stop those voices of doubt is to hear what they’re saying, then you’re trying to have a staring contest with the wolf. Not gonna do the trick, I promise.

How much easier would it be, when you first notice the fear arising, to turn away from it and back to the Truth in your heart? To reach in with your heart, experience the Divine Presence again, and feel the fullness of connection?

Wouldn’t it be best to call on the bear? Because you know what that wolf is going to say already.

Image by ucumari.