[BigTex]

Many of you may be aware of the concept of "target fixation." It is the tendency to focus on something--a target--to the exclusion of everything else, and ultimately make poor decisions because the brain is not processing all of the important NON-target related information (like when it's time to pull up on a bombing run).

I believe that males are more predisposed to target fixation than females (as I recall this was the result of some studies done by auto insurance companies on crash rates for men vs. women).

Perhaps the most important aspect of target fixation is being aware of when you may be in a target fixation situation yourself, and what you may need to do to broaden your perspective enough to have a clear view of the whole playing field.

In the PO environment, the dangers of target fixation are obvious: you focus on PO and its negative effects to the exclusion of everything else in the world, including what might be useful PO mitigation strategies.

The danger of target fixation for pilots is that they might fly right into an object they are simply using as a point of reference. The danger for POers is that they may miss out on living a happy life today because they are so troubled by the future they see unfolding. Another risk for POers is that they may over-prepare for PO and under-prepare for other challenges life may throw at them, such as personal illness, loss of loved ones, poor relationships with other family members, and a sense of alienation from people who don't "get it."

I saw an interesting quote: "Fanaticism is doubling one's efforts, yet forgetting one's purpose."

Just some food for thought for the PO-fatigued.

Target Fixation

[DrBang]

BigTex

Good post! I feel that this is part of the psychological evolution of the understanding of the world that is unfolding.

Fatigue over time

These ideas we so glibly discuss are in essence scary and painfull to many. They require a change in paradigm and effective action. In the short term, no worries, can be done. In the medium term it can be difficult to sustain and we get 'tired'.

Myself, I had a 3 phase approach. Short term resposne, medium term response and long term response. Once up and running, I am about 90% prepped for short term, 80% prepped for the medium and about 10% (materially) for the long term.

After a burst of activity, prep has slowed down. I still have my cunning plan but I am having to work harder to get the damn thing done. My motivation has taken a back seat to day to day concerns again. I think this has come form some sort of fatigue on this subject. I have 'gotten the point' and have started a plan of action where I have started to get results. Now I need to kick back for a bit as the next set of steps will take a lot.

Good post mate!

Dr Bang

[BigTex]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('DrBang', 'I') still have my cunning plan but I am having to work harder to get the damn thing done. My motivation has taken a back seat to day to day concerns again.Dr Bang

[DrBang]

AH HA!!!!!!

I am unmasked! (poor old Edmund)

I did indeed sit down and work out an optimised response fitted to me personally here in SE Queensland. I don't have the resources that many do here on PO.com. I am far from helpless though!

A cunning plan (ratatooie without the rat even). What I did not count on was losing momentum. I will pick it up again though. Every 30 days, I revise the plan based on what I see, observe and
understand.

I have been making a concious effort though to enjoy life though. If we are right, this era of excess and entertainment will end very soon. How to balance the two, thats the trick.

I can post my plan if you like. Remember it is for Australia so you guys may think parts of it are odd.

[BigTex]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('DrBang', 'A')H HA!!!!!!

I am unmasked! (poor old Edmund)

I did indeed sit down and work out an optimised response fitted to me personally here in SE Queensland. I don't have the resources that many do here on PO.com. I am far from helpless though!

A cunning plan (ratatooie without the rat even). What I did not count on was losing momentum. I will pick it up again though. Every 30 days, I revise the plan based on what I see, observe and
understand.

I have been making a concious effort though to enjoy life though. If we are right, this era of excess and entertainment will end very soon. How to balance the two, thats the trick.

I can post my plan if you like. Remember it is for Australia so you guys may think parts of it are odd.

[Lumpy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BigTex', 'M')any of you may be aware of the concept of "target fixation." It is the tendency to focus on something--a target--to the exclusion of everything else, and ultimately make poor decisions because the brain is not processing all of the important NON-target related information (like when it's time to pull up on a bombing run).

Perhaps the most important aspect of target fixation is being aware of when you may be in a target fixation situation yourself, and what you may need to do to broaden your perspective enough to have a clear view of the whole playing field.

In the PO environment, the dangers of target fixation are obvious: you focus on PO and its negative effects to the exclusion of everything else in the world, including what might be useful PO mitigation strategies.

The danger of target fixation for pilots is that they might fly right into an object they are simply using as a point of reference. The danger for POers is that they may miss out on living a happy life today because they are so troubled by the future they see unfolding. Another risk for POers is that they may over-prepare for PO and under-prepare for other challenges life may throw at them, such as personal illness, loss of loved ones, poor relationships with other family members, and a sense of alienation from people who don't "get it."

I saw an interesting quote: "Fanaticism is doubling one's efforts, yet forgetting one's purpose."

Just some food for thought for the PO-fatigued.

Target Fixation

[BigTex]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Lumpy', 'M')y personal focus over the past couple of weeks -- maybe a month -- has become much narrower ... more like tunnel vision.

By nature I am a believer that things will work themselves out ... an optimist and a person of good cheer. Well, I was. Even though I knew about and believed in PO, and even accepted that much would change and much sacrifice and hardship would come about. Still, I believed that it would be for the best -- that it would force us to return to a better way of living ... those of us that make it through.

Over the past weeks, though, my focus has become more and more toward the "not making it through" part, rather than the "life will be simpler and better and more grounded for those who DO make it through." This does not feel right, good, or productive to me as a way of thinking. I believe it tends to make one reactive instead of proactive ... and proactive is more of what I have been in the past.

I am looking around for my old self. I am sure I am in here somewhere.

[Lumpy]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BigTex', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Lumpy', 'O')ver the past weeks, though, my focus has become more and more toward the "not making it through" part, rather than the "life will be simpler and better and more grounded for those who DO make it through." This does not feel right, good, or productive to me as a way of thinking. I believe it tends to make one reactive instead of proactive ... and proactive is more of what I have been in the past.

I am looking around for my old self. I am sure I am in here somewhere.

[vision-master]

"target fixation."

Not a good thing when riding your scooter.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Lumpy', '
')1. Practice wellness -- i.e. don't feed your illness (in this case, target fixation), feed your wellness
2. Walk in the light -- literally and figuratively (spiritually/emotionally/mentally) (After all, someone wiser than us said "As a man thinketh, so shall he be."
3. Walk away from whatever is pulling you toward your personal darkness -- at least until you regain perspective
4. Take your meds (if you are on any)

[vision-master]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Lumpy', '
')1. Practice wellness -- i.e. don't feed your illness (in this case, target fixation), feed your wellness
2. Walk in the light -- literally and figuratively (spiritually/emotionally/mentally) (After all, someone wiser than us said "As a man thinketh, so shall he be."
3. Walk away from whatever is pulling you toward your personal darkness -- at least until you regain perspective
4. Take your meds (if you are on any)

[allenwrench]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BigTex', 'M')any of you may be aware of the concept of "target fixation." It is the tendency to focus on something--a target--to the exclusion of everything else, and ultimately make poor decisions because the brain is not processing all of the important NON-target related information (like when it's time to pull up on a bombing run).

I believe that males are more predisposed to target fixation than females (as I recall this was the result of some studies done by auto insurance companies on crash rates for men vs. women).

Perhaps the most important aspect of target fixation is being aware of when you may be in a target fixation situation yourself, and what you may need to do to broaden your perspective enough to have a clear view of the whole playing field.

In the PO environment, the dangers of target fixation are obvious: you focus on PO and its negative effects to the exclusion of everything else in the world, including what might be useful PO mitigation strategies.

The danger of target fixation for pilots is that they might fly right into an object they are simply using as a point of reference. The danger for POers is that they may miss out on living a happy life today because they are so troubled by the future they see unfolding. Another risk for POers is that they may over-prepare for PO and under-prepare for other challenges life may throw at them, such as personal illness, loss of loved ones, poor relationships with other family members, and a sense of alienation from people who don't "get it."

I saw an interesting quote: "Fanaticism is doubling one's efforts, yet forgetting one's purpose."

Just some food for thought for the PO-fatigued.

Target Fixation

[s0cks]

Nah, its all nonsense!

Driving my car, going to the movies, buying new clothes or gadgets, attending work, progressing my career, going on holidays, going out drinking/clubbing, etc... Isn't that just target fixation upon "business as usual"?

Perhaps "walking into the darkness" is the BEST thing we can do in this time. To fixate on PO and GW is an excellent way to prepare. If you lose friends and family who refuse to listen to the serious issues we are sson to face is it worth "forgetting" PO for them?

Sure you can take your mind off it occasionally. Making music is a good way for me. But most modern day entertainment just reminds me of the issues, and isn't so "fun" anymore.

[Plantagenet]

Good topic.

We all get to live our own personal Greek tragedy.....we all get to be modern Cassandras.

Cassandra could see the future, but the prophetess had been cursed ---her fate was to have no one ever believe her prophecies.