…but "MY" situation is different!

Originally published on LinkedIn.com on February 23, 2016 By Dr. Jason Richardson

It may very well be… your situation that is. But, I doubt this is the case. You are different, sure. You have something special to offer the world, sure. Your story, experiences, genetics, and upbringing all play in to your “secret sauce” – yes! And, I believe all of the above as well as hang my hat on helping others leverage their respective sauces. That said… the situation is not necessarily different.
Without getting too political, I saw a video (an old one) where Joe Biden was urging the President Bush to NOT appoint a supreme court justice due to the imminent election cycle. Here we are a few election cycles later and the now Veep, Biden and POTUS, Obama are wanting to get a new person appointed… exactly what Biden was urging against years later. Again, this is not about making a political statement. This is about making a statement on how WE ALL CROSS THE PROVERBIAL BRIDGE when we get to it. Meaning, because of our above stated experiences, genetics, stories, upbringings, differences, and specialties, we assume “our” situation is different than “their” situation.
I don’t mean to cast a black and white cloak over complex issues and I do understand the importance of context. It is curious, though – that for as long as I can remember, and according to the articles and video I have pulled up before my time – the people who find themselves in situations where “they would/would’ve handled differently” – don’t.
Yet, here we are. We generally live longer, eat better (if not, more!), travel further, run faster, hold our breaths longer etc. Could it be that the human brain is somehow wired for conflict?
The answer: YES!
This is why we have achieved and advanced (some would argue against the use of that word) so much in the world. This is also most likely why we still argue about the same issues (economical, political, racial, familial, etc.) today. Our internal/external conflicts drive us to act or not act. When the external conflict does not match up with our internal conflict (Joe Biden) example above, the brain goes to work in doing what it does best – making things match up so we can keep our sanity or dignity, justify a decision, or protect our ego.
But I don’t do what they do… because “MY” situation is different.

 
Dr. Jason Richardson
Gold Medal Mindset | Psychologist | World Champion Athlete | PanAM Gold Medalist | Author