There's a systems dynamics archetype called drifting to low performance. Drifting to low performance occurs when one believes the bad results, which stand out more in memory than the good ones. The good results are aberrations. The result is that one believes they are worse off than they really are, which is false, because of the bias of one's memory.
It becomes a case of drifting towards low performance because the desired state is influenced by the perceived state. Since one feels off, they slip, and so does the goal, which is the desired state. And true to all actions, there will be moments when one drifts downward. The cycle continues, eventually one being in a far-off state than when they began.
Since this transition continues insidiously, through the contrast miscalculation tendency (alias the slippery road with blurred lines), the system becomes worse exponentially.
Like all system archetypes, being aware of them is not enough. One needs to do away with them.
A solution is setting absolute standards, not relative ones. It should not be the case that 'everyone is doing it', because that not only takes away your locus of control, but converts it into a malleable goal. This is far from absolute.
The other solution is choosing to focus on the good outcomes and view the bad ones as aberrations.
This is basically what you have described.
When you take time to understand how robust and resilient systems operate, you find a lot of Stoicism.
Beautiful. I’m happy to say that I’ve made my way to that place.😊Lots of hard work along the way that’s been worth it. I especially like the part about just walking away. Took me a minute to trust my nervous system telling me so subtly that a person or place just wasn’t right. And then to act on it has felt like a triumph.
When Nelson Mandala was in prison, he was “worth” the same as when he was a president. A native American friend says he has “substance”. More like he is solid than substantial (wealthy).
I am on a tour bus with a song playing “I love you! Save all your kisses for me,” as I read your post and contemplate the comment the grumpy bus driver made to me. (I sat in the front, next to a seat with a ‘don’t sit’ sign on it. “Didn’t you see the sign!!!?” he says angrily and disparagingly as he points at it next to me. And of course I did. That’s why I sat in the seat without a sign next to it. Plus I was on a tour with the same tour company and sat in the same seat a few days before. But I didn’t tell him that. “That’s for the guide!” he spat like a cat thrown into cold water. I got up and found another seat.)“I love you” to me and your article are perfectly timed 😂🙏❤️. It did trigger some
young parts of me that don’t like wet spitting cats. And that part definitely feels good reading your words. Thank you!
I used to do this when I was so low I could barely get out of bed and it somehow helped. Thank you for sharing this in such a wonderfully thoughtful way.❤️🔥
I forgive myself for all the ways I wish I had behaved differently, for all of my reactions — taking so many things so personally. My sensitivity allows me to remain open and I now carry my light with courage and shine it wherever I go. Love is the highest power. Thank you for this empowering post.
Actually this made my day
Thank u ☺️
Now go and say I love u to someone u truly care 🌅
This is so beautiful thank you very much 🙏🏽❤️☺️
What you think and believe with your heart you will experience in your life.
There's a systems dynamics archetype called drifting to low performance. Drifting to low performance occurs when one believes the bad results, which stand out more in memory than the good ones. The good results are aberrations. The result is that one believes they are worse off than they really are, which is false, because of the bias of one's memory.
It becomes a case of drifting towards low performance because the desired state is influenced by the perceived state. Since one feels off, they slip, and so does the goal, which is the desired state. And true to all actions, there will be moments when one drifts downward. The cycle continues, eventually one being in a far-off state than when they began.
Since this transition continues insidiously, through the contrast miscalculation tendency (alias the slippery road with blurred lines), the system becomes worse exponentially.
Like all system archetypes, being aware of them is not enough. One needs to do away with them.
A solution is setting absolute standards, not relative ones. It should not be the case that 'everyone is doing it', because that not only takes away your locus of control, but converts it into a malleable goal. This is far from absolute.
The other solution is choosing to focus on the good outcomes and view the bad ones as aberrations.
This is basically what you have described.
When you take time to understand how robust and resilient systems operate, you find a lot of Stoicism.
Wow! Thank you for this!
Beautiful. I’m happy to say that I’ve made my way to that place.😊Lots of hard work along the way that’s been worth it. I especially like the part about just walking away. Took me a minute to trust my nervous system telling me so subtly that a person or place just wasn’t right. And then to act on it has felt like a triumph.
I hear you…
When Nelson Mandala was in prison, he was “worth” the same as when he was a president. A native American friend says he has “substance”. More like he is solid than substantial (wealthy).
I am on a tour bus with a song playing “I love you! Save all your kisses for me,” as I read your post and contemplate the comment the grumpy bus driver made to me. (I sat in the front, next to a seat with a ‘don’t sit’ sign on it. “Didn’t you see the sign!!!?” he says angrily and disparagingly as he points at it next to me. And of course I did. That’s why I sat in the seat without a sign next to it. Plus I was on a tour with the same tour company and sat in the same seat a few days before. But I didn’t tell him that. “That’s for the guide!” he spat like a cat thrown into cold water. I got up and found another seat.)“I love you” to me and your article are perfectly timed 😂🙏❤️. It did trigger some
young parts of me that don’t like wet spitting cats. And that part definitely feels good reading your words. Thank you!
on pointt 🎯
Beautiful ❤️
this. 🫶🏽
I used to do this when I was so low I could barely get out of bed and it somehow helped. Thank you for sharing this in such a wonderfully thoughtful way.❤️🔥
❤️Thank you for making my life feel more important...to me. Thank you!
I forgive myself for all the ways I wish I had behaved differently, for all of my reactions — taking so many things so personally. My sensitivity allows me to remain open and I now carry my light with courage and shine it wherever I go. Love is the highest power. Thank you for this empowering post.
It's not Easy but it's the right way
This isn’t just Stoicism—it’s soul rebellion. The kind of gospel Marcus Aurelius might’ve preached if he’d been raised on heartbreak and espresso.
“Tell yourself I love you. Like gravity. Like the sun rising.”
That’s not a self-help tip. That’s an invocation. A holy mutiny against the culture that profits off our shame.
Thank you for reminding us we are not broken projects but blooming phenomena. Wheat, not weeds—even if the townsfolk don’t get it yet.
And as for anyone who can’t handle the glow? Let 'em squint.