The Stockdale Paradox

[moblet]

I first heard about the Stockdale Paradox while working in the NGO sector in the developing world, but I think it's far more applicable to us than anyone else.

 

[Enid]

Can well identify with that moblet - the sort of "mindset" is about where I am. Thanks for posting the "Stockdale Paradox" (awful time they had and very brave).

 

[Mark]

Great stuff!

You must retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties.
AND at the same time…
You must confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.

Never doubt that you can achieve your goals, no matter how lofty they may be and no matter how many critics and naysayers you may have. But at the same time, always take honest stock of your current situation. Don’t lie to yourself for fear of short-term embarrassment or discomfort, because such deception will only come back to defeat you in the end.

Living the first half of this paradox is relatively easy, since optimism really isn’t that hard. You just choose to believe that it will all turn out for the best, and everything that happens to you is a means to that end. Simple as.

But optimism on its own can be a dangerous thing:

There’s no difference between a pessimist who says, “Oh, it’s hopeless, so don’t bother doing anything,” and an optimist who says, “Don’t bother doing anything, it’s going to turn out fine anyway.” Either way, nothing happens. – Yvon Chouinard

 

[SOC]

Wonderful!

Exactly the mindset we need to survive and succeed with our illness.

 

[svetoslav80]

"You must retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties" - this sounds like false optimism to me.

"You must confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be." - this is what I've always believed is the key to success.