Читать книгу Comfortable Chaos - Carolyn Harvey & Beth Herrild - Страница 7

The first I in Comfortable Chaos is individual. In our society, comparisons and the need to “keep up with the Joneses” are rampant and destructive. We compare our houses, our cars, our haircuts, our children’s accomplishments, and, not least of all, our work/life choices. Our research shows that women have clearly emerged as the worst gender at making disparaging comments about other women’s choices and lifestyles as a way to attempt to become more comfortable with their own.

We must put an end to the vicious cycle. Comparing your choices to others’ is never a winnable proposition. We firmly believe in what Socrates once said, “Know thyself.” The key to being comfortable with your own work/life choices, otherwise known as your “chaos,” is in knowing yourself and realizing that what works for one person does not necessarily work for another. Situations that are overwhelming for some people may be energizing and delightful for others. Likewise, what is tedious and boring to some of the population, may be perfectly enjoyable to the rest. Comparisons only create a false sense of superiority at best and make you feel discouraged and inferior at worst.

The individual in Comfortable Chaos means taking the time and energy to understand your own personal preferences and tolerances and honoring them regardless of the choices of others. The more you understand yourself, the better able you will be to make conscious, realistic choices that work for you. In the next chapter we offer several tools to help you to better understand yourself.