【Masochism of Enduring Pain for Peace of Mind】 The Trap of "Reform Addiction" We Fall Into
The pathology of "constant reform" that everyone talks about
Politicians, business leaders, and critics all say the same thing in unison.
"We must carry out reforms!"
"Maintaining the status quo is a step backward! We cannot survive unless we keep changing with the times!"
These words sound very positive and like sound arguments.
However, from the perspective of those on the front lines, nothing is more exhausting or causes an organization to stop thinking than this slogan.
The disease of reform where the means are replaced by the "goal"
Here, I would like to reconsider what "reform" actually is.
Originally, reform should be a "means to change the status quo in order to improve the current situation."
As long as it is a "means," it is healthy for the reform to come to an "end" once the immediate problem is solved.
Nevertheless, if reform continues endlessly...
That means reform has been replaced from a "means" to a "goal."
So, why does reform become a "goal"?
Hidden there is a psychology called "compensatory behavior*" to fill our "anxiety about the future."
Compensatory behavior
Compensatory behavior is a psychological term referring to making up for a desire or goal that cannot be directly satisfied by using an alternative action or means, and it is considered a type of "defense mechanism."
The "mental trick" of erasing anxiety by enduring pain
The "compensatory behavior" mentioned here is a type of defense mechanism in psychology.
It is an unconscious mental process of trying to balance the mind with other actions when one's own desires or anxieties cannot be directly resolved.
The mechanism of compensatory behavior surrounding that "reform" is as follows:
1. Carry out "painful reform"
2. The greater the pain, the more you tell yourself, "Since I endured this much pain, it must be useful for the future!"
3. Temporarily forget anxiety about the future through the sense of accomplishment of enduring pain
Even after going through this process, after a while, "anxiety about the future" will well up again.
Then, to erase that anxiety, we go looking for the next "painful reform" again.
In other words, to suppress anxiety about the future, we end up repeating endless 'reforms' through processes ① to ③.
And by deliberately imposing 'pain' upon ourselves, we seek to obtain a temporary sense of peace of mind.
This is the true nature of the masochistic pathology of 'reform' addiction that we have fallen into.
Do Not Chase the 'Blue Bird of Reform'
Of course, I do not intend to deny all 'reform'.
Necessary 'reforms' should be implemented, and depending on the situation, 'reforms' should be carried out continuously.
However, continuing 'reform' that has become an end in itself, like chasing a blue bird, must be called nonsense.
If you remain in a phase of 'reform' that endlessly denies the self, you will only be enveloped in a sense of stagnation, and there will never be an end.
To break free from that, it is important to have the courage to rethink 'reform' itself.
And we must shift our mindset toward 'moving forward with certainty' that lies beyond that.