The Human Race and the Reins of it all
We live in a bamboozled state these days. So much to consume, so much to decipher and so many decisions to make. Chasing one milestone after another. Running towards one finish line after the next using everything at our disposal, from data to emotions to circumstances.
As we stand today
It is this unquenchable thirst of the human mind which has brought us where we are- good or bad, whatever you may think, it's been quite a journey. Yet, the growth graph has been similar to the laws of returns to scale. The question is: which part of the graph do we really represent as a collective group and as able individuals?
The disease, death, and calamity of it all
Draw a parallel with the buzz of technology these days- AI, Social Media, Mechanization of processes - the list goes on. All this is great, symbolic of the cerebral success of the human brain. But the world is lamenting the lack of personal connection, isolation, mental illness, insecurity and a sense of directionlessness as to what holds true for us in the decades to come.
From humanization to mechanization. From discussions about productivity to empathy. From talking about how to get more from people to how to make people happy.
What next?
What does all of this boil down to? What am I really getting at? I am thinking as I write this piece- a tad too much, and not knowing of where to stop- in everything we do.
As I reflect, I am trying to think if there's a procedural thought process that can help us stop, stare and enjoy the sunset as we race towards the finish line.
The Reins Mindset
Reins are the powers of reflection and observation, coupled with mindful long term decision making. (yes, this is a term I just coined) present in all of us. They are the crucial link between the rider and the horse. It is the brain that controls these reins. Without the reins, the horse cannot be controlled, just by the rider's effort. The key here is to let the reins do what they are meant to do: control the horse. Not let the horse go berserk.
The reins mindset is the ability to stop, reflect and take a step back before we go forward. The effectiveness point here is that we should be able to smoothly hand over the reins from one point, to another, from one person to another.
Some questions that can help us develop this mindset:
- Is this the right time to do what I want to do? What are my reins telling me?
- Will this impact just me or others? What are my reins telling me?
- What's the long term impact of it all? What do my reins tell me?
- Do I have it in me to manage the consequences?
- At what point should I stop? What are my reins telling me?
- Do I have a plan to stop, when it's time to stop? Do I have retrospectives planned?
- What after I stop? Can I ably hand over the reins?