My 3-Step Psychological Protection Program (i.e., defenses) safeguards core beliefs and truths from unwanted change. I say “unwanted” because my natural inclination is the status quo – as daddy used to say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
My inner Samurai works on the belief that change hurts and so is bad and to be avoided – part of my pain prevention campaign. To stay employed and relevant, my psychological defense system employs a three-part strategy to preserve the status quo, keeping me and those I care about safe and secure.
My 3-Step Psychological Protection Program
for keeping the current belief system stable, safe, and secure, and avoiding change!
- It (some aspect of life or life itself as a whole) is as it is and… [some belief needing protection against change]
- I can’t change because…
- Someone will get hurt…
- I’m too afraid to try (based on my expectations of harm)…
- It’s impossible…
- Because I feel overwhelmed by [justifications that kill any desire for change]
Examples:
Life is as it is…
I can’t change it because…
I’ll be harmed (or someone I care about will be harmed) and…
I’ll be alone…
No one will like me…
I won’t be able to make a living…
I’ll starve to death…
The pain will be too great…
I’ll deprive others of what they need…
I don’t have the answers I [they] need…
I’ll be humiliated…
I’m too afraid that…
It might come back again later…
I’ve failed at this before so I’ll just fail again…
I’ll be out of control…
I’m too old, too young, too sick, too ugly, too tall, too short, too…
I might be wrong…
I might be right…
It won’t work for me…
I’ll get hurt…
Someone I care about will be hurt…
I’ll lose something or someone I care about…
It’s impossible because…
It’s not my fault…
This is the way it’s always been…
I can’t control what’s in my nature…
There’s no other way…
I’ve got a really good explanation…
I’m really not doing that (denial)…
It’s in my genes (DNA, hereditary, parents)…
No matter how hard I try, it just won’t work…
