Chicken Kings

A?chicken?can be?hypnotized by lowering its head down near the ground, and drawing a line along the ground, starting at the beak and extending straight outward. When hypnotized the chicken will continue to remain immobile for as long as 30 minutes.??This trick often called “hypnosis”, is actually “tonic immobility”, i.e. a natural state of semi-paralysis, most reported in domesticated birds, when presented with a threat.

It's possible that humans are susceptible to this reaction, too.? Researchers?have found that traumatic events can cause the participants some immobility, "implying that tonic immobility is preserved in humans as an involuntary defensive strategy." ? Thinking? The last word is still awaited on the subject, but the concept of “freezing up,” when faced with stressful situations is good description.

A lot of factors determine stressful situations but one of the most common ‘freezing up’ happens when confronted with the possibility of having to say ‘No’.? The stress gets compounded when this response is meant for someone with direct or even implied authority.? Is this going to hold you back??

Hello no. Debatable - is probably a better answer.? There are countries, cultures and organizations where your ability to say “yes” and execute is an asset.? It can and does pay dividends, so it’s not surprising that many of us are proud to be “Chicken Kings” – successful leaders who have mastered the art of saying "yes".

While your ability to say “yes” could be making you rich today, there will come a time you will struggle to break free. How will you know? You will recognize it when you aren’t able to move forward despite all the yesses and despite that flawless execution.?How do you avoid this?

"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced" - James A Baldwin

The key to this is quite simple - It is accepting that “No” is a complete response too like saying “Yes”. ?It can help set up healthy boundaries, make you less likely to feel resentful, overwhelmed, taken advantage of or burned out while giving you an opportunity to get the most out of your time and effort.? Easier said than done?

To begin with intersperse the “yesses” with a “no” every once a while.? Be disciplined about it. How do you do that?? Not everything will always be right for your soul. Make decisions based on what’s important to you, what you believe in and what you’re willing to fight for. ?

Everything worthwhile in life is difficult. ?And so is this path.? It will always be easier to be a “Chicken King” waiting for oblivion.? But remember the pain of the discipline today will be nothing as compared to the regret on your shoulders later in life. Choose your hard! That could be the difference between just being a “Chicken King” or truly being a “King”.

“What you don’t do determines what you can do.” - Tim Ferriss