I had never heard the comparison between being a thermometer or a thermostat until listening to Seth Godin yesterday. After looking it up online I quickly realized that this is a topic that has been widely written about. Well, I liked it so much I thought I’d share thoughts as well (in case you missed the other comparisons).
Obviously the role of a thermometer is to determine the temperature of something. It fluctuates up and down with the environment. You can see where we’re going with this.
A thermostat on the other hand, regulates the environment. It is connected to the heating and cooling system and sends signals when it’s time to adjust the temperature.
Of course the question is, are you more like a thermometer or a thermostat? Do you passively adjust to your environment or do you control your environment?
As I was thinking further about this I came up with a few character traits that might help you determine whether you are more reactive or proactive.
The thermometer: Reactive
- Victim of circumstance
- Inability, unwilling or resistant to change
- Disempowered
- Lack guiding values and/or moral principles
- Uncertain about making decisions
- Maintain the status-quo
- Follow the rules
- Invisibility is preferred
- Always choose safety over risk taking
The thermostat: Proactive
- Agent for change
- Influencer / leader
- Take control
- Strong value system
- Vision for the ideal environment
- Creative problem solver
- Willing to change the rules
- Success = risk
- Can’t do it alone
- Prepared to take action
I honestly don’t believe that most people want to live like thermometers. It’s fear that keeps us from experiencing the great adventure that life has to offer us. So how do we overcome our fears? Here are some tools that I’ve used that I hope will be helpful to you.
- Train yourself to believe that failure is an important part of finding personal success.
- Resource: Failing Forward by John C Maxwell
- Video: http://youtu.be/1PXpASxzmQc (John Assaraf: How to Overcome Fear...)
- Find out what you’re really afraid of and ask yourself these 4 questions.
1) Is what I’m telling myself really true?
2) Can I absolutely know that it is true and does it really matter?
3) How do I react? What happens when I believe this thought?
4) Who would I be without that thought?
- Train yourself to manipulate those fearful thoughts by changing the way you experience them whether in your mind or your physical body.
- Focus on the benefits of what your life will be like when you confront your fears rather than focus on the negative uncertain consequences like. pain, embarrassment, etc.
- Remember that God is in control; give your fear over to the one who can be truly trusted.
If you have any additional thoughts or suggestions please share them. I found this video inspirational:
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