Feeling a little paranoid?
The rumors were running rampant that Roger was going to be promoted, which meant I was going to have to work for him. Crap! I thought he hated me. I was sure of it. I knew nobody appreciated me, otherwise they wouldn’t make me suffer! In the time leading up to the formal announcement, I was running around like a turkey with my head cut off, telling everyone who would listen I was going to be axed if he got the job. Distracted and paranoid, I believed everyone knew what was going to happen. In the meantime, no work got done.
In Fubar’s Boardroom….
A rumor had been circulating for weeks that a downsizing was again in the works. When everyone coincidentally received a memo to be in the boardroom for an impromptu meeting, right on schedule panic and paranoia set in. Who was getting axed? Trapped by their own thoughts and fear about what might come, they freaked out and were running around like turkeys with their heads cut off. Each had their idea of what would happen. They were acting like psychos, as if someone had take over their bodies.
On her way to the boardroom, Wendywoman was carrying a basket containing her gifts of gratitude for the team. Wanting to express her appreciation for their progress, she called them together so she could spotlight each individual contribution and collectively they would celebrate. Rounding the corner into the boardroom, she was greeted with pandemonium. Offering each a gift of gratitude, she immediately squelched their unfounded fear. It would be a happy Fubar Thanksgiving.
What can you do?
Did I get fired? No! Did Roger get promoted? No! Did I spiral out of control due to my paranoia for a few days? Yes. How useless! How many times have you walked into a room, only to have the conversation stop? If I had a dollar for every time I was sure someone was talking about me, I’d be retired by now. For years my paranoia was driven by my own lack of self-worth, believing that everyone knew my secret deficiencies, even though I outwardly appeared able. I wasted a lot of time building a character based on what I knew other people wanted me to be. That was a very slippery slope because in my quest to be all things to others, I came close to losing the real me.
Are you working as a Closet Paranoid Psychic? If you are, that is a depleting waste of energy. Often we don’t know what is going on in other people’s lives and it is our perception of their behavior that creates our own suffering. To diffuse paranoia, stop your knowing about what you think you aren’t or can’t be and instead focus on being grateful for what is today. This coming Thanksgiving week gives us the perfect opportunity to spend our time being grateful for our circumstances. You can always remember and appreciate how much is still in your life, even if you feel a lot has been taken away.
This week’s challenge to my blog readers…
Be aware this week how many times you find yourself in a set of circumstances where you think you know what’s going to happen. Did it? In that moment, catch yourself and instead shift your focus to something to be grateful for. There is always something to appreciate. Send me an e-mail atWendywoman@wendywoman.com or catch me on Facebook (Wendywoman).
Will you be grateful today?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Another great source of wasted time to recover, not to mention your equanimity!(fitting well with the last couple of weeks’ blogs).
OK, so who is the lady with a turkey body, upper right hand corner (under the clock)? Brown hair, glasses, not invited to the party.
GREAT idea on calling that meeting today WW. Attitude of Gratitude all the way my friend!!!
So Interesting Wendy, those paranoid voices in our head that keep us squirming around…someone asked me once who in my life would be that critical, who….Well when I realized that when we’re little we start hearing that negative talk from parents that are trying to prepare us maybe for the worse…anyway, when I started changing the talk to what would be the best thing that could happen, and start appreciating that…my outcomes also changed.
Gina
To answer your question Wendywoman, yes, I will try and be grateful today. I was sure when you told us to gather in the boardroom that Not me Lee had finally framed me for something HE was supposed to do!
I grateful for the extra days off this week from telling customers “No, No, No” whenever they ask me for something!
With all these headless turkeys running around I am more grateful than ever for my rose colored glasses. Although I’m a little confused by the gift of gratitude Wendywoman gave me… clear lenses??
This is one of the things I like most about this blog; rather than just saying “don’t be paranoid” (or last week, don’t procrastinate) Wendywoman offers an actual replacement strategy that works!
Thanks for such a great article, Wendy. Very appropo and needed to remind us of worry at the office.
We waste so much energy on anxiety and most of what we freak out about never happens, as you said.
We can all be thermostats to change the office climate. Great idea on sharing thanks by pointing out team accomplishments.
Thank you!
Geez Bob, what kind of glasses are you wearing?? It’s me, Serena, and Wendywoman would never be the kind of leader to exclude anybody so I am definitely part of this party!
A round of applause for your post. I am really looking forward to reading more. Really Cool….