Wisdom Wednesday … Teaching Helplessness

Ask yourself, Are We Teaching Helplessness…

Through past failures have we convinced and taught ourselves success cannot happen, or its far off? In fact we may have incubated a whole psychological philosophy, and culture around the concept of , “taught helplessness.”

This topic was inspired by my brother Kursat, who recently shared with me The Psychology of Everyday Actions by Donald A. Norman. Redesigning my game, this publication has sharpen not only my intention on new media content; but life “as is.” Do we subconsciously negate our potential success?  It seems we promote highly intelligent points about our weaknesses, rather than empower and/or identify our winning strengths.

The Problem

Helplessness can be heard in the way we speak to one another, and the way we teach one another, as well as our actions toward one another. Especially when the speaker, or the teacher has only theoretically lived the experience he/she is presenting. We tend to think others are losing this spiritual battle for dignity and respect, excluding ourselves from this loss. We have created false perceptions justifying our actions; while not having shown any game changing progress through our own work. There is a disassociated ego lurking around us, pretending to have all the answers. It seeks out evidence and blame our communities for failure. Pointing out factors of sin and blame, before acknowledging any successes. Focusing on weaknesses and not “strengths” that will empower a team who wants to win!

“In the absence of external information, people are free to let their imaginations run free as long as the mental models they develop account for the facts as they perceive them.” Donald A. Norman

The Light

Therefore we have experienced a psych of helplessness, with only one way out. We are solely relying on the Help of Allah, which is, the only way out. It is an awareness and guarantee, for those who believe. Consequently our Creator has given us an ability/ prerequisite to His Help. “Allah does not change a people’s lot unless they change what is in their hearts.” (13:11)

In this moment is when we reverse a helpless behavior into a divergent thought leader who wants to win. “Allah has decreed: It is I and My messengers who must prevail (win): For Allah is One full of strength, able to enforce His Will” (58:21.)

Now, let’s Assume the position of winning thinkers! Speak and teach winning mindsets, re-map our thoughts, about our existing life. Question the redesign several ways before delivering its final model. Initiate “pious ethical thinking,” that will alleviate irrelevant behavioral patterns of inherited prejudices, social apprehension, and erasing spiritual abusive actions ~ all are egos of teaching helplessness. Hopefully this brief Wisdom Wednesday will open dialogue that will reverse taught helplessness. Everybody has been affected, start with your own ego.