Category Archives: Conformity

“Much of the world around us is predicated on keeping us asleep.”

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“Much of the world around us is predicated on keeping us asleep.”

—Sue Heatherton

Image from Unsplash by Shane

Much of the world is engineered to keep us asleep, lulled by comfort, screens, and endless distractions. We’re conditioned to accept routines, to consume without questions, and fear genuine connection.

Underneath the glossy surface of convenience and entertainment, there’s a system eager to sedate our curiosity, creativity, and dissent. What if the news, notifications, and even the comfort foods we seek are all subtle lullabies designed to keep us docile?

The cost of staying asleep is steep — stagnation, loss of self, and the quiet death of potential.

It’s time to challenge the narratives, shatter the cycles, and bravely awaken.

EXERCISE:

Examine who profits from us staying asleep. What might we reclaim by waking up?

Only the guy who isn’t rowing has time to rock the boat

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“Only the guy who isn’t rowing has time to rock the boat.”

—Jean-Paul Sartre, 20th Century French Philosopher and Playwright

Image of men rowing against a black background

Image from Unsplash by Josh Calabrese

What is your immediate interpretation of today’s quote? Is being a boat rocker a bad thing or a good thing? How much does it depends on where the boat is headed?

Most people, on many occasions, tend to go along to get along. They do not want to be seen as individuals who are not pulling their weight. If and when they do stop rowing and stand up to look around, the other rowers will often apply peer pressure to have them sit down and get back with the program.

Conformity and going with the flow just doesn’t suit the vision, values, and sense of self for many folks these days. They feel compelled to stand up and look toward an alternate horizon more in alignment with their true selves. The boat rocking may result in them jumping ship or being forced to walk the plank due to the apparent disconnect or perceived mutiny observed by the boat’s captain and crew.

EXERCISE:

Where are your personal and professional boats headed? In which situations is it warranted to put more of your legs and back into your rowing efforts, or stand up and rock the boat, to either change its direction or jump ship?