Affluence
Despite living in affluent times, where our needs are fortunately met in most cases, we’ve got more anxiety, fear, depression, loneliness and stress now than we’ve ever had.
Suicide rates are higher. Addiction consumes us. Our bodies are sicker. Obesity and chronic disease are rampant. Mental illness growing.
Being your ‘best self’
We might think we should be living in the self-actualisation level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
But no chance, we’re far from there.
Many of us are stuck in ‘safety’.
Now you might guess that coaching works best at the level of self-actualisation – becoming our best self. And it will. But if we’re not there yet, coaching can help us step up through all the other levels. All of us have this drive towards purpose and contribution. But right now, it’s thwarted by fear, self-doubt, confusion and self-loathing.
War and Disaster
In this era, we’ve arguably had it easier than our ancestors. Many of us have not lived through a major war, famine or natural disaster in our own country, whereas our forbears often did.
War and other disasters lend humans a sense of a common enemy. We are impelled to pull together to vanquish it, and in so doing we forge strong community spirit and purpose. We develop internal fortitude and dignity, when we fight for survival and win. We help one another and form deep social bonds.
Why am I bringing this up?
Covid-19 and other modern realities
Well clearly, we’re now in at least one global emergency – Covid-19. It’s come as a shock to our internal defences and we have collectively been through the stages of grief over it. But we don’t have any past major-threat survival experience to draw on. We’re not sure if we can do it. And we don’t have deep social connections to rely on.
Many people are feeling lost and out of control.
Covid-19 has and WILL unite some people to fight the common enemy. But not all.
Many will remain in fear and uncertainty.
New Fear
If you have more stress and anxiety, fear and uncertainty than you remember having 10 or 20 years ago, it could be simply this: You’ve never had to survive a big disaster or conflict. Nobody taught you. You don’t know how.
Added to this, the modern era has cultivated addiction at unprecedented levels – we are the addicted society. Addiction by its nature avoids unwanted emotions and situations. We stop going to the hard places that would toughen us up. Our bank of spirit, resilience, unity and resourcefulness is sadly depleted. Every addictive action weakens us further. No self-blame though – when addiction is the easiest way to make money out of us, it becomes inevitable.
Where are you on Maslow’s hierarchy?
If you’re at the ‘Safety’ level, I’ve got some good news for you.
Coaching restores inner safety.
When you have that, you’re going to feel safer at work, at home, socially. Teflon.
Imagine what you could do, if you felt safe.
There’s SO LITTLE separating you from who you wish you were.
So little.
Coaching bridges the gap.
Purpose, fulfilment and thriving are available to you, right now in Covid-19.
I created it for myself and I can teach you.
If you’re a Type A professional stuck in ‘Safety’, let’s talk.
