Mainstream, Prolific, & CRAZY: A Science Lesson on Social Dynamics
Mainstream, Prolific, & CRAZY: A Science Lesson on Social Dynamics
Read time: 4 minutes.
A distraught professional can’t fully help another distraught professional.
Here’s a mini science lesson to explain social dynamics and shine insight into your nervous system.
What is Newton’s Cradle?
You’ve seen this contraption in science gift stores everywhere (see fig 1 below). It represents Newton’s 3rd law of motion: Every action has a reaction equal in magnitude and opposite to it in direction.
When a ball is lifted and released on one end, energy travels through all the balls to the other side. The ball on the other end, which swings out with the same momentum, then slams back into the rest of the balls, and energy travels back through to the other side. And on it goes.
Back and forth, back and forth.
figure 1
I don’t remember where I learned this concept about Newton’s Cradle and social dynamics, but I wish I could give the guy credit.
Here’s the metaphor.
👇🏽
The 3 balls in the middle of the cradle are considered “mainstream” (see fig 1).
What does “mainstream” mean?
The most widely accepted ideas are mainstream. Mainstream could be considered conventional, normal, and trendy – where the majority fit in.
Mainstream doesn’t rock the boat.
The ball on each side of mainstream is considered “prolific” (see fig 1).
What does “prolific” mean?
Prolific ideas flirt with mainstream.
“Hey! Over here, babe! I want to show you something!”
This is where outside-the-box thinkers exist and where change begins. People can hold the tension of complexity here.
Ideas aren’t “crazy”, but they’re also not fully “mainstream” so they draw attention and help open the eyes of mainstream to introduce innovation and change.
(For example, when I write, I want to be just prolific enough for you to want to come back and read that again. And when I coach, I want to ask questions to move clients into thinking in a new way.)
The ball at the ends of the Cradle are considered “crazy” (see fig 1).
What does “crazy” mean?
(By the way, the guy who developed this idea named the sections.😳)
This is black-and-white thinking, right and wrong with no gray middle, no flexibility – includes ideas that seem just downright “out there” to the mainstream and even unsettling to “prolific” thinkers.
Think about extreme beliefs in your industry. What baffles you, or even pisses you off? 🤔
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Remember Newton’s law? When one action happens, the opposite and equal reaction happens, and if it’s “crazy”, it seems extreme.
Does this remind you of any dynamics today?
When one extreme speaks, the totally opposite side answers! 🤯
Wham goes one extreme. Wham goes the opposite.
Mainstream–like the five balls in the middle of the cradle–braces itself for the next surge of “crazy”.
This can be exhausting.
So what?
So, my fellow professional, your calm, prolific presence is the catalyst for greatest impact.
When you and I see (or feel) the surge of Newton’s Cradle dynamics, it’s important to get grounded and take measures to be fully available and present to those we serve.
Here’s what 12 professionals, with sensitive nervous systems, said they practice regularly to avoid the onslaught of “crazy” energy:
On busy days, limit interaction with people who aren’t clients
Reset between sessions–take a few minutes to quiet the mind
Take frequent walks in nature
Do mindful breathing & meditation
Watch a funny video; laugh deeply
Write/reflect in a journal
Eat well; healthy choices & plenty of hydration
Spend quality time with loved ones
Prioritize sleep
Limit news intake
Limit client intake
On days you find yourself bracing the momentum of “crazy” in your world, take action to calm your nervous system.
Your clients depend on it.
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That’s it for this month - a mini science lesson to understand social dynamics and its impact on professional helpers.
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See you next month!
Your Coaching Maven,
Rachel
Reflect
How do you respond to extreme beliefs in your industry? Do you answer back with the same force? Do you ignore it? Feel anxious and fret because of it?
If you already implement a plan to monitor and protect your nervous system, what is it?
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