The paradigm of the easy
The words we select to communicate have an emotional and intentional charge that goes far beyond their meaning.
Reviewing the origin of the word Paradigm, comes from the Greek paradeima that is translated as model, type, example. This gives us an idea that it is a "truth" shared by two or more people. According to the Google® dictionary, defines the word easy as something that "is understood, done or achieved with little effort, skill and intelligence."
Based on the above, we can identify four ways to perceive and interpret the word easy with a high limiting connotation.
One is to use the "easy" to manipulate and delegate, underestimating the true level of difficulty involved. The second meaning refers to the tendency to devalue the work of another, minimizing the importance of the work entrusted. Third, the use of this term prevents us from deepening our work, betting on mediocrity and distancing ourselves from excellence. Finally, by using the word easy we stop honoring the fact that everything has its time and its moment.
After each of these meanings of the term easy, underlying judgments that sometimes have an unfounded base but that we take for certain to not clash with the dominant criterion and even, sometimes, unconsciously. The effects: an emotional load that erodes us and detracts from our energy to be able to successfully tackle our work, personal and even family challenges.
How many misunderstandings could we have avoided if we refocus the meaning of the easy? How many times have we been able to measure the level of difficulty of an activity and reach a much more productive and realistic consensus?
So, as a way to support ourselves as a team and grow, I propose to choose to be aware of working with the use of the word "easy", not to activate these internal "automatic judgments" that sabotage us.
It sounds simple but requires taking very specific corrective actions: The next time you hear the word "easy" (said by you or by a third party) it analyzes the true meaning or connotation that it has and evaluates to what extent it corresponds to reality. This merits an important level of neutrality, that is, not letting ourselves be dominated by emotions at the time of analysis.
Certainly, in life there are things we can do with minimal effort, we all know it, but we use the word "easy" wisely in our day to day, in order to honor our personal values: Integrity, Generosity, Consciousness, since it impacts in the course of our life.
Interesting post! It's so important to be mindful of how definitions shift within paradigms, and to be as specific as we possibly can about what each word means and use them accordingly.