Win the Inside Game: How to Move from Surviving to Thriving, and Free Yourself Up to Perform

by Steve Magness

But that’s not the only way we defend ourselves. Our protective systems push us to respond by doing one of the following: Avoid or shut down: We detach. Tell ourselves that whoever expressed the view is crazy, or ensure we never have to confront that information again. Fight and defend: We double down on our position, trying harder to prove that the way we see the world is, in fact, correct. We rationalize and justify. Narrow and cling: We shrink our world to the people, groups, things, or stories that confirm our beliefs or worldview. We seek refuge in the places that make us feel secure and valued. We make the world two-dimensional so that we don’t have to deal with the messiness of life. Accept, explore, and update: We integrate the new information into our mental model—a pathway that emphasizes growth and learning over the long haul instead of simply surviving the immediate threat.