Not “learned helplessness” . .
. “As I have listened to . . . individuals who feel trapped and stressed,
unable to muster the energy to facilitate change, I think about Martin
Seligman's research related to the concept of ‘learned helplessness,’ a concept
which basically captures the belief that ‘regardless of what I do nothing
really will change, so why even put in any effort to change.’ Once a feeling of
learned helplessness begins to dominate one's mindset, most difficult
situations elicit feelings of resignation, defeatism, and stress.” [Stressed
Out or Stress Hardy (?), Robert Brooks, Ph.D., http://www.drrobertbrooks.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/1999/04/Stressed-Out-or-Stress-Hardy-Part-1.pdf]
And he goes on to explain: “Yet, in contrast there are other
individuals, faced with seemingly similar situations, who remain more
optimistic and more positive and as a result are able to solve problems with
greater effectiveness . . . One approach that I have found particularly helpful
is based on the research of Suzanne Kobasa and her colleagues. Kobasa defined
three characteristics of what she called the "hardy personality."
Individuals who possessed these characteristics experienced and responded to
stressful events in a much healthier and more effective way than those who did
not demonstrate these personality characteristics. I prefer to refer to these
characteristics of a "stress hardy" person as features of a mindset,
a mindset that defines the way in which we understand and approach all aspects
of our life . . .
“Why cast this concept of
‘stress hardiness’ in the framework of a mindset? The reason I do so is my
strong belief that mindsets can be changed, that they do not have to remain
fixed ideas that are cast in stone. I realize that many people have held on to
certain self-defeating ideas for years, but with insight, courage, and support
these ideas can be changed. I call the components of ‘stress hardiness’ as
outlined by Kobasa the ‘3 C's’ since the first letter of each of the words of
the mindset begins with the letter C . . .
“Commitment. Challenge.
Control. Kobasa described commitment as being involved rather than alienated
from aspects of one's life. When commitment is present, individuals have a
sense of purpose and meaning for why they are doing what they are doing. When
we have a purpose, when we are guided by a vision, when we never lose sight of
why we are doing what we are doing, an energy and passion are triggered that
give meaning to our lives and lessen the impact of stress.
“Challenge is based on the
belief that change is a constant in one’s life. Successful people tend to see
change as challenges to confront and master rather than as stress to avoid.
They do not deny problems, but instead appreciate that change is an opportunity
for self-reflection and growth. It is interesting to note that in the Chinese
language, the same word symbolizes both ‘crisis’ and ‘opportunity.’ While opportunity
is housed in many difficult situations, in my consultation and therapy
activities I have witnessed countless individuals who react to these situations
with dread, who would rather remain frozen in a ‘comfort zone’ even if that
zone brings them little satisfaction or joy.
“Since the word ‘control’ may
be incorrectly interpreted as ‘controlling’ others, I typically refer to this
third ‘C’ as ‘personal control.’ The feeling of control or ownership is at the
root of almost every theory of effectiveness and motivation. When individuals
possess this third ‘C’ they tend to focus their energy on those events that
they have control over rather than on situations beyond their control. They
believe that they are active participants in plotting the course of their own
destiny, of solving problems and making decisions about their own life, of
wasting little time worrying about things that are beyond their influence.
People become more stressed when they attempt to alter uncontrollable
circumstances, often feeling that they are hitting their heads against the
wall. When individuals delineate a clear plan of reasonable action for
situations that they can alter, their stress lessens. Even when their actions
do not lead to success, they at least feel a sense of accomplishment in knowing
that they have not passively sat back and, in addition, they are likely to
adopt the view that they can learn from what went wrong.”
Let’s bring the concepts of
“learned helplessness” and the “hardy mindset” to the present, and more precisely
where we are as a people and a nation – e.g., we lag behind our more successful
Asian neighbors. We know that our ability to attract foreign investments
compared to Thailand, for example, is handicapped. That gap translates to a
weakness in technology, innovation and competitiveness, among others, and thus our
inability to market our products beyond our shores like they do.
I’m writing this in Bangkok and
it isn’t like we’re poised to reduce their lead in accumulated FDIs, which
stands at almost 6 times ours . . . when we read something like, “Before investing in PH, Japan firms raise
nagging issues,” Amy R. Remo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 7th Feb 2015. “[T]hey continue to stress the need for the
government to address pressing concerns, such as lack of adequate
infrastructure and high power costs, which are necessary to create a more
conducive environment for trade.”
At the recent Ayala-UP School of
Economics forum on the state of the economy, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan
put together an excellent SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats)
analysis. In other words, instead of simply dwelling on the positives of the
economy, he covered the negatives as well and did it in a very balanced fashion
that both of them were crystal clear. Ergo: following the techniques of “force
field analysis,” [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force-field_analysis]
we can now focus on driving the elements where there is demonstrated momentum;
and likewise prioritize and bridge major gaps in the economy where they exist.
Focus, momentum, prioritize, major gaps . . . are the operative words.
Why is it important to step up to
the plate . . . of where we are? It is . . . if we want to develop a “hardy mindset”
. . . and not perpetuate “learned helplessness.”
Here is a news report to
illustrate. “2014 FDI likely breached $6-B mark, says Domingo,” Louella
D. Desiderio, The Philippine Star, 4th Feb 2015. “Given the country’s
positive economic conditions, Domingo said the Philippines is ripe for another
credit rating upgrade, particularly from Fitch Ratings . . . Domingo said he
intends to discuss the country’s gains as well as know about Fitch Ratings’
concerns which prevent the debt watcher from giving the country another
upgrade, during an upcoming meeting with the credit rating agency. ‘What are
there other concerns? I want to know that…so that if it can be corrected, then
we will do that,’ he said.”
Because they gave upgrades
before, it doesn’t follow that they would again in future if we don’t address
the structural weaknesses of the economy – which they highlighted in earlier
reports. And we cannot keep glossing over these weaknesses given their
enormity. And those who do are doing a disservice. They are rubbing it in to
half of the population that say they are hungry and poor. We may be cash
rich and are sitting on a pot of international reserves but that is a function
of OFW remittances . . . not investment and most certainly not an ecosystem
with the requisite building blocks – of infrastructure, strategic industries
and an efficient and productive and innovative and competitive total system.
And here's another news report. “PH
officials to lobby trade bill on Capitol Hill,” Amy R. Remo, inquirer.net, 2nd Feb
2015. “US perks sought for goods from typhoon-hit areas . . . The US is
focused on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, and they would not
want to give preferential treatment or trade preference to one country. They
prefer it to become part of a trade pact, like the TPP, and in the case of
Europe, the Trans-Atlantic Partnership. We recognize that it’s going to be a
big challenge, but we have to do it to be able to assist our countrymen . . .”
No question we feel compassion
for our people. But then again, we also recognize that we have “no personal
control” over Capitol Hill. In other words, we understand the uncertainty of
the request we are making yet out of learned helplessness, we still had to do
it?
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