We automatically judge and make stuff up (test yourself below) … While we theoretically understand the concept of our mind’s ability to judge and make stuff up, we all too often practically ignore the ramifications of doing so.

The ability to suspend our judgement / agenda is a precious and life long leadership capability to develop, especially when under pressure. In suspending judgement, we learn to get curious, be okay with ambiguity, navigate conflicting ideas without attachment, and ultimately, we become more discerning, and make better decisions for greater impact.

I would like to share a couple of stories that, while lighthearted, demonstrate how we literally ‘make stories up’ in our mind … what I refer to as ‘Movies of The Mind’.

I invite you to slowly read these two stories to yourself:

a) John was on his way to school. He was worried about math class. He feared that he could not keep the students under control. This was not his job as the principal of this school.

b) Jill has to go to school. Her mother asks her to get out of bed. Jill replies that she will be there in a minute. After 5 minutes her mother as her to get out of bed again. Jill replies that she will be there any minute.  When her mother angrily shouts that Jill should really get out of bed now, she replies that her mother should not treat her like a little child. Her mother replies that it is inappropriate for the head of a school to show up late for school.

REFLECTION TIME …

– What just happened in your mind?
– Where did you automatically assume things, and create your own story of what was going on?
– Have you caught yourself doing this in real life? (Be honest)
– What steps can you & do you take to suspend your judgement?
– What difference would it make in your life if you became more discerning?

A shout out to the folks of www.positivepyschology.com who created these two stories, to support people in leading themselves and others with more impact.