The Elephant on the shoulders

almost 4 years ago (Edited)

In the last weeks, we have all had the need to change our thinking and behavior patterns.

The wave of Covid-19 has questioned the usual beliefs and procedures, causing many of us to feel disoriented.

The feeling is that of going from running at 100 km/h to walking suspended in a vacuum on a wire, with an elephant on the shoulders.

This radical change can be seen and faced in several ways.
Three, to be exact, are the attitudes:

- Fragile

- Resilient

- Antifragile

About the fragile, there is little to say: he gets overwhelmed by events, does not react to the situation of change, suffers the unexpected as negative and harmful.

Instead, when it comes to resilience and antifragility, it almost seems that they are synonymous with each other.

In fact, the starting point is the same (a positive approach to the challenge) but with a small fundamental difference.

I apologize for the fact that the slides I will publish are in Italian language, but they were made for a work group and I was pleased to publish them, because I believe they have a certain "visual power".
However, I will translate everything written in the text.

What is Resilience?

It is the human's ability to overcome great difficulties without being affected, always remaining equal to himself.
The most suitable example to describe the concept of resilience is to refer to the Arab Phoenix. This mythological bird is capable of being reborn from its ashes, returning to being exactly what it was before death.

And how is Antifragility different from Resilience?

Antifragility goes further...it's the ability to take advantage of overcoming the difficulties encountered.
Each obstacle becomes a reason for learning and improves effectiveness.
Each solution brings a benefit, as if you were able to refine an instrument that allows you to be more and more capable of expressing excellent performances.

In this case the most appropriate comparison is that with the Hydra of Lerna, legendary monster of Greek mythology whose main characteristic is that of reviving two heads each time one is cut off.

But, how do you become Antifragile?

First, you need to become aware of your behavior and your state.
Understanding that breaking down or giving up would not improve your situation

It's essential to set a goal and be determined to achieve it.
Motivation is a very powerful weapon and can drastically change a person's mental state.

Search for new tools, explore alternative solutions, experiment with contamination. Study new approaches, going beyond common beliefs and bringing new ideas.

Once new processes are created, you need to have the courage and conviction to experiment with them.
It's important not to stop in front of the first difficulties, but always try to find tricks that make you improve performance and help you create new models.

You will not stop until you have reached the set goal, this will allow you to acquire new experiences, new ways, new skills.