Role Playing
You probably know the phrase, “what would Jesus do?” But have you ever used the phrase, “what would Abraham Lincoln do?” or “What would Mahatma Gandhi do?”
We are missing a great opportunity to tap into our stress relief skills by not using our imaginations. When I’m stuck and a deadline is quickly approaching, I like to take a mini-break and ask myself what a famous person would do in my situation. For example, Abraham Lincoln would have no idea what a computer is or have any clue why he’s stuck in some strange box like structure with flimsy walls (an office cubicle). I peek up over this flimsy wall and try to make sense of it all – where am I and what are all these people doing? Yes I still have my beard, but why am I in this weird place. It takes a little imagination to fall into the role, but once I do I really have fun with it.
During my moments of self-induced stress, like when I’m worrying that I should be making more money, I try to get into the mind of Mother Teresa and experience how calm and serene she must have been in her older years. If she were me, she probably would laugh and enjoy all the wealth that I possess, and then decide on how to give it away to someone less fortunate. So then I take it a step further and create a list of organizations, people, and ideas to whom I would like to give my money and possessions. Or, when I make a mistake and have to go back and figure out how to correct it, I stop and pretend I’m Mahatma Gandhi dressed in white robes. A calm feeling comes over me and I glance very slowly at everything that is in front of me then I smile and laugh. The very idea that I am stressing out about this mistake is comical, especially when I know that I have to give a talk to thousands of Indians, trying to persuade them to unite against the British.
You may have a favorite writer or sports figure that you can emulate. Watch how quickly your stress dissipates as you immerse yourself in your ideas of how this famous person would fare in your position.
You probably will want to keep this technique to yourself because you may get branded as the weird one at your work. But if you do use it I guarantee you’ll use it again and again.
Popularity: 9% [?]
Karl @ December 17, 2007