Reflection : Artist captured in his own painting.
Hi,
I'm Brandon.
One easy way to define me is the word over-fill-whatever-you-want-here. At work, I over engineer solutions (I mean why does a simple sign-up need its own microservices and stuff), in real life I overthink and at times I overwork. When asked to do something, I overdo. Some people call it strategic, some psychotic and others have their own ways of defining this cycle (man I see what I did there).
Crazy article title right?
Well, in a random episode of Legend of the Seeker, I saw a painter who got doomed when they got stuck in a magical painting of theirs, and then a clever reference from Eminem's Bad Guy reiterated that this behavior is a doom of my own making. Of course more often than not it's beneficial, but once in a while, it's detrimental to how I fit in with others.
Introducing the third eye.
Given a situation of any kind and given an opportunity to plan or advise, my input comes as a cushion against what could possibly go wrong. Even if you give me infinity resources and Hal Jordan's ring (oh, don't tell me that you haven't watched Green Lantern - it's like Ryan Reynolds's worst movie), I would still come with a cautious plan. In some or most cases, I am right to do that. Promises break, people disappoint and processes stall. If a plan is multi-step, one thing is bound to break. If a plan has multiple actors, one of them is bound to give a Razzie-worthy performance. As for promises, well don't get me started there - especially with where I come from where you get loaded with promises (is there an invisible stat board for handshakes and that? Because I see them freely and unprovoked.)
Back to the painting bro
Now having this special gift that borders between clairvoyance and outright pessimism has its own advantages. When people's heads are up in the sky with visions that have no plans (I think pipe dreams is the word), I find myself playing an Oscar-worthy devil's advocate. And in some instances that's an asset. Before the plan is finalized, I need a back-up plan to the back-up plan. Which is not a good thing because a few people have mentioned that, and I quote 'energy-sucking, vampire behavior.' However, the pictures that have come from these negatives... Oh my gosh... and at times, my concerns were just paranoia at best.
The trap
After some time the concerns turn to trust issues, issues flagged are classified as resistance and the advice offered is termed 'unsolicited'. Being continuously in situations where the third eye has to guide me means that I can't find the right time to switch this off. There was a time I could, but now, it's that personality in the shadow waiting to devour every chance of fun I can possibly squeeze out of the situations I encounter. For some reason the world outside was set on fire, with me in the painting - stuck. Maybe it all ends when I am out of the picture. When I am 80, living on a farm. Writing poetry that no one reads, legs folded hearing the chirp of nature and a warm cup of tea by my side.
And I am not complaining about that. I embrace it. But if we ever lock horns or bump heads, just know that the third eyes seeks to be prepared. Even when the mind just says go with the flow. Why do you think I switched off the comments? Maybe one day I will spill the tea.
Let's connect via the following platforms: LinkedIn, on X as @Rogue0015, or check the Sessionize speaker profile if you want this signal live on your stage. And if you're new here, start with the talks — this blog is their echo.