The Lizard Who Cried Wolf

Lizard: “What is up with you and this whole ‘rest’ thing? Resting is for sissies. You should get up and get to work. You’ll never make it if you don’t DO something. You might as well give up. No one will like what you have to offer anyway, so why even try.”

Kristin: “Lizard, you’ve told me that 432,957 times before and things have turned out okay. What if I just don’t listen to you this time?”

Lizard: “No, seriously, this time it’s the TRUTH. I mean it. You’ll never accomplish anything if you don’t get off your ass. And then whatever you do won’t work anyway. Failing is serious business. You’ll be embarrassed. You’ll be rejected. You won’t have any friends. You’ll look stupid and incompetent.”

Kristin: “Take a hike, Lizard.”

Lizard: “I’m doing my best to protect you and you don’t even appreciate it. How can I help if you don’t even listen? I know what’s best. I’ve seen this kind of thing before, and I know what I’m talking about.”

Kristin: “Oh, I recognize your wiley reptilian ways. You’re just trying to scare me into staying small and busy, even though inspiration and relaxation (without guilt!) is just what I need right now. I’m not listening to you. See? I can tune you out. [Kristin plugs her ears and screams] LA LA LA LA! You don’t scare me, Mr. Fire-Breathing, Loud-Talking, Mean… Dragon Man. From now on, I’m going to call you Puff! Ha! Take that!”

Lizard: “For real. This time I’m telling you, you do NOT want to put yourself out there. People will not pay attention. They have better things to do. Besides, you have too much competition. What makes you so special, huh? Well, you’re not. You’re just one in six billion. You don’t have anything unique to say anyway. So stay in your house where it’s comfortable. But stay busy because if you don’t, you’re just being lazy and selfish. I am an expert in these matters and I promise, life will be much better this way. I know better than you.”

Kristin: “Maybe you’re right. It probably won’t turn out well. You do seem to know a lot. I believe you. Maybe I’ll just clean my office. Or go out to lunch. Or do whatever I can to stay busy WITHOUT actually accomplishing anything (or relaxing or taking care of myself).”


Kristin: Okay, okay, Lizard. I hear you loud and clear, and I know you’re trying your best to help. Thanks for your input, but I promise I’ve got this one. Now I’m going to work on an inspiring writing project. And then I’ll take a nap. See you on the flip side.”

Cast:

The role of Lizard is played by Kristin’s reptilian brain, which refers to the part of the brain that first evolved in early vertebrates to broadcast survival alarms and catalyze the fight or flight response. These days, we coaches like to call it the “inner lizard” (thank you Martha Beck) because it is still sounds alarms in the form of a constant stream of fear-based thoughts, even though we might be sitting on the couch and eating bon bons.

The role of Kristin is played by herself.

Moral of the story: your mind will use every trick in the book to convince you that you’re not enough and you’re doomed. These thoughts are not the truth, and you do NOT have to believe them.


Photo by esculturas inflables xl