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Stimulation Or Sustenance?
Why we invariably make the wrong choice.
When we’re under stress we generally look for ways, consciously or otherwise, to reassert our control over the situation. Very often our actions then make the situation even worse but we generally feel better, at least for a while, because we’ve created for ourselves the illusion of purposeful action.
As this is a hardwired piece of human behavior it’s not surprising that we respond positively when purported authority figures likewise seem to be acting decisively, even if their actions are in reality guaranteed to make everything worse than it already is. We’re suckers for action. Inaction is anathema.
The wisdom of inaction is something that has to be learned, and it’s never easy.
Many years ago I had the privilege of training alongside a particular group of soldiers in a small regiment of the British Army. Early on, during the induction and selection process, a senior member of the Directing Staff addressed the room. We were all young men ranging in age from early twenties to late twenties and in superb physical condition. We were excited and primed for action. We were about to push ourselves past our limits and, along the way, learn a great many highly “kinetic” skills.
The senior NCO looked us over, his face a mask of neutrality. “Right, you lot,” he…
