From time to time, you feel victimized. We all feel that way, from time to time. There can be good reasons for feeling victimized. Sometimes we are victimized: others attack us verbally and sometimes even physically. Bullies, for example, stole our lunch money or chased us around the schoolyard at recess. When we grew up and went to work the bullies stole our ideas and humbled us in other ways, behind our backs and in front of coworkers.

Over time and with repetition of these victimizing experiences, some of us became victims: developing the self-image of a victim, developing the bad habits of a victim, and exhibiting the persona of a victim. These people are who I am referring to when I use the words, "Always-the-Victim".

Always-the-Victim means a life filled with painful thoughts and negative mindsets.

At the weaker end of the Always-the-Victim spectrum we find the people who chronically exhibit and practice avoidance. At the stronger end of the spectrum we find the bullies who pass on what they have learned. At each of these Always-the-Victim extremes we find the people who pass on and force on to others the thinking and actions that perpetuate the Always-the-Victim condition.

The Always-the-Victim condition relies on heredity and environment for its perpetuation. And, as you know, the world is ripe with people and situations who do their part to act as victims and do what they can to cause others to become victims. This is a part of the human condition. While it appears to be a bad/unpleasant/unfortunate part of human nature, perhaps it is not. Perhaps, it is more like an educational lesson or a test? Perhaps, it is something we should observe (in real time)...then think about your personal thoughts and actions.  Are your thoughts and actions those of a victim? If the answer to that question is "Yes" then are you OK with that or do you want to make some changes?

If you are Always-the-Victim and you want to change for he better, how will you go about that?

Will you change your thoughts?

Will you change your actions?

Will you seek help from others who have mastered the Always-the-Victim condition?

To explore this topic, I did some on-line research and found an interesting article that has fed into my thinking process. Below are some excerpts from that article called ‘Why People With Disorganized Mind Are More Intelligent’. The article can be found at http://www.lifehack.org/324803/12-reasons-why-people-with-disorganized-mind-are-actually-more-intelligent [COMMUNICATION MOTIVATION BY DIANNA LABRIEN]

“Why People With Disorganized Minds Are More Intelligent

The clutter continues to accumulate—it has all of your life. You can’t find your car keys or your cell phone; you get in the car to go somewhere and you find yourself going in the wrong direction; if you have a workspace, it’s a mess; nothing is ever “where it’s supposed to be.”

You “suffer” from what psychologists now call “chronic disorganization.” But, what these psychologists also now tell us it that chronically disorganized people have higher intelligence and greater creativity. So, take heart, and the next time someone criticizes you for your disorganization, give them some facts to chew on. And here are 12 of those facts that demonstrate the high level of intellectual functioning of the chronically disorganized.

1. They score high on verbal IQ tests, often in the gifted range.

2. They have high creativity levels.

3. They have a broad range of interests.

4. They process information through their right brain hemispheres—the “creative” side.

5. They develop strong attachments to often un-related things and people.

6. They want to be around high-energy people.

7. They tend to lose track of time.

8. They have difficulty focusing when they are not interested or fascinated.

9. They are intuitive, extroverted, and feeling according to personality testing.

10. They must be learning all the time.

11. They think globally.

12. They may seem “nerdy” or “know-it-all” to others.

Disorganized people need to discover the truth and, in most instances, their own brand of truth. They may spend a lot of time with books and on the Internet. In school, they may be seen as nerds; to psychologists, they may be identified as having Asperger’s. They do not have a lot of patience for those who want to “follow the book” on everything. They research and think about how not to “follow the book” and are usually pretty committed to voicing their ideas and opinions—thus they can get a reputation for being a “know-it-all”.”

Now, there’s some food for thought. If you buy into those 12 points then perhaps you can buy into the concept that even disorganized people can succeed in business….and become well-respected business leaders.

Then, the questions move from whether or not disorganized people can succeed to the hows & whats around the thinking and actions that must happen to bring out the success embedded in disorganized people.

When our brains/minds register things that are important, our bodies experience stress responses.

The more important the topic/outcome is to us, the higher the stress.

The less control we feel/believe we have over the outcome, the higher the stress.

Spirited Leaders consider the following strategic things to be quite ‘important’:

• Talents & Strengths
• Values & Master Rules [Courage, Confidence, Conviction, & Creativity…and the rules that support these things]
• Vision/Purpose
• Goals

When individuals’ Talents & Strengths are ignored or sidelined, those individuals will tend to experience energy-draining stress. All else being equal, when those individuals’ Talents & Strengths are put to good use the individuals will be invigorated.

When individuals’ Values & Master Rules are challenged or violated, those individuals will tend to experience energy-draining stress. All else being equal, when those individuals’ Values & Master Rules are embraced the individuals will be invigorated.

When individuals’ Vision/Purpose is ignored or contested, those individuals will tend to experience energy-draining stress. All else being equal, when those individuals’ Vision/Purpose is supported the individuals will be invigorated.

When individuals’ Goals are ignored or contested, those individuals will tend to experience energy-draining stress. All else being equal, when those individuals’ Goals are supported the individuals will be invigorated.

Considering these points, leaders have choices:

• They can work to drain people’s energy
• They can work to invigorate people
• They can be oblivious to the things that drain energy and invigorate

Knowing all this, what do you choose?