Tiger
Taming the Tiger
From Singapore’s boardrooms to dining rooms it is no secret: we all have invested in and paid for the ride on the Tigers back.
If we even consider the thought of trying to get off the Tiger’s back the fear that it will devour us economically, and in so many other ways, is real.
To stay on or jump off?
Either way, everyone I have interviewed in Singapore over the years have said, in one way or another “it will get me.”
I’ve only asked one question, over and over: “What is your greatest cause for stress and tension?”
Interviewing young people in their 30’s, without hesitation they all answered, “financial, retirement and relationships” in that order.
People through to their 70’s, answered very similarly.
Of course this is not unique to Singapore. There seems to be an endless denial that a middle ground even exists, it’s like the inherent nature of the ride. Going to work early and coming home late in an endless cycle of reactions with no time to stop, reflect and enjoy our family or what’s really going on. At what point does our life change?
Where does the glimmer of light in the individual come from, to even consider there could be a middle ground or balance? A quieter pace and better outcomes.
In my experience of 45 years supporting people with similar issues in different part of the world, the middle ground is being considered by more and more people.
Although for the majority it is well after there has been a crisis of some sort, be it financial, health or relationships.
The crisis
A crisis is when our inner tension builds up and erupts, either into our body or our daily life, this is usually the start of the turning point, however not until we have gone to the opposite extreme to deal with the crisis, we then return to find a level of acceptance of what happened and why.
Following this, there seems to be a point of readiness and then the consideration, there must be another way.
The nature of the Tiger
We instinctively know that the tension that drives the Tiger that we are afraid of, is like a constant freight train full of thoughts and reactions that fill our sleep, and blurs our clarity for even the smallest daily decisions, is just not going away.
Build a relationship with the Tiger
I am not suggesting for one minute to stay on or get off the Tiger’s back. That would be unrealistic. What I am suggesting is to build a relationship with the Tiger, at all cost learn to gradually calm down, not necessarily slowdown.
We have all learnt short term coping mechanisms, like stress management and stress relief, whereby we learn strategies to temporarily re-arranging our outer surrounding or to take something to offset how we actually feel, but still – it’s the inner Tiger that needs taming.
Most of us have learnt that when something seems to go wrong or our health suffers we automatically reach for something, more to the point – it is time to let something go.
Taming the Tiger training
If you truly want the middle ground, a quieter pace and better outcomes, there are two steps to successfully tame the Tiger.
One is to consider; is this really important to me and my family, important enough to take action?
Two is to take action; it will take time to tame, but not as much as you think.
In the beginning it will take just 5-minutes a day.
Remember: The Tiger is not outside the self – You are the Tiger.
~ Stuart Mackay
The Challenge - 5 minutes a day - 7 consecutive days - to start Getting Clarity
Join the thousands of individuals over the last 45 years who have transformed their quality of life.