Courage and Aversion

Here are a couple posts that resonate with me and impact my ability to create breakthroughs.

First, this cool post from Kathy at Creating Passionate Users called, Death by Risk Aversion. Very interesting and true. How often do our potential creations get muted by our fears? A lot, I think. Here's just a wee piece of the post, but go read the whole thing:

"Practice LETTING GO

Here's where the Buddhists have an edge. Too many of us hold on to practices or ideas (including sacred cows) long past their sell-by date. If it doesn't serve us any longer, it's time to give it up no matter how well it served us in the past.

Of course, "letting go" means temporarily experiencing that painful, awkward, "I suck" stage again. But pro athletes do it if they want to break through plateaus. Go players do it to move up in ranks. Musicians let go of habits and styles. Programmers do it (waterfall anyone?). Writers do it. Anyone who has switched from skiing to snowboarding (or switched from regular to "goofy foot") has learned to let go."

From the Achieve-IT blog come this tease and link to a short snippet of the test for Mensa. I took the 30 question quiz and it said I had a good chance of passing the full blown Mensa test (I got a score of 23). At first I was excited, but then the fears rush in because 23 out of 30 does not seem all that great to me. If I took it and did not pass, how would I feel? Why is this even intriguing to me? What do I have this meaning in my life? I have to admit that getting into Mensa would be cool and that I would be seriously bummed if I took the test and failed. If you take it, drop a comment and let me know how you do!

Comments

[Brad Isaac]

Lisa,

Your score on the practice test is excellent! Congrats.

If you were wanting to be a member I'd say go for it. Personally, I don't really have a reason to join at this stage of my life so it would probably just be another distraction.

But I've taken some tough cert exams in my life, most I've passed, some I've failed, but showing up is the important part. How many people up the street from me have sat the Cisco CCNP and MS MCSE exams? None, only me. I failed some - at least I showed up for them.

Statistically, anyone who takes the Mensa test and fails would still be the only one in their neighborhood to have taken it - so there is a lot of esteem to be gained from the simple act of 'doing' when others aren't doing. :)

[Lisa Haneberg]

Brad - Thanks for your "go for it" encouragement! At this point in my life, it is not really important. But it is something I honestly would value if I had it. Ok, nuf said, I will check it out.

[Greg]

Lisa

Just do it, you don't have anything to lose. I took the test a few years back - and passed. I never got round to actually joining MENSA but it was interesting. Because of my interest at the time I did a lot of research about exactly how IQ tests work, and whether they actually test intelligence.

Also, if you're into that type of thing, MENSA has a number of Special Interest Groups where you're able to meet people who REAAAALLYY know how to play RISK or Trivial Pursuit.

Obviously it gives one a slight boost in self-confidence to know your IQ is up there with the best of them, but if you don't make it you should remember that according to most current research your IQ is merely an indication of your ability to do well in IQ tests.

Oh, by the way - great site

[Lisa Haneberg]

Thanks - Maybe I will! Thanks for the tips and the perspective. Yeah - it's cool to know you qualify but important to not make too much of it. As an INTP, I tend to romance these kinds of intellectual accolades.....