OCD & Hockey

Hockey fans will know that one of the most exciting moments in a game of hockey comes at the end of the game, with one team hopelessly trailing.  In the expiring moments of the game, the trailing team will often pull their goalie.  It's a huge risk - the goal is undefended - but at this moment of the game, there is nothing to lose.  The trailing team will not win by playing defense; they must play offense.  And so, they bring an additional player onto offense and hope against hope that they can score (this does actually work, by the way).  

OCD hopes that you never think to pull the goalie.  It depends on you always playing defense - responding to fear, discomfort, uncertainty.  OCD says 'jump' and you oblige.  As long as you play by these rules, you can never win.  The odds are always, always in favor of OCD.  If you want the odds back in your favor, you have to pull the goalie and go on offense.  When OCD says "your hands are dirty", you don't wash them; you get them dirtier.  The risk is greater; it's scarier.  But we know exactly what happens when you play by OCD's rules.  If you choose to go on offense, you give yourself a shot.

"Just Relax..."

Click the image to read "Relax! You'll Be More Productive" by Tony Schwartz.  

When it comes to anxiety, the well-intentioned advice to "just relax" often falls quite short.  It's not that simple.  This article provides some more tangible ideas that may help to curtail perfectionism and anxiety.  The over-arching idea: less can sometimes be more.  Counterintuitively, the best results can sometimes be found, not by constantly working, but by taking care of yourself and allowing some time to relax.  Carving out time to exercise, sleep, take breaks, and even vacation can all lead to increased productivity.