A Green Mindset: Obstacles Become Opportunities

I vividly remember a homework assignment from high school where I was “in the green” in both thought process and execution.

Like most kids in high school, my evenings consisted of listening to some music in my room while doing homework.

I don’t remember what homework I was working on, but I do remember that it was the night before a presentation I had for English class. It was a group project related to the book “Cat’s Eye” by Margaret Atwood.

(If that name sounds familiar, she’s published a bajillion books and poems – the most famous of which is now The Handmaid’s Tale, thanks to the epic TV series.)

Suddenly, I was struck with some inspiration. I had an idea for a solo presentation that I knew would be great. The only problem was that I needed permission to do it and had to abandon my group.

All before 5th period the following day.

Following through

It is at this point that most people would stop. They’d think of a good idea, and then realize that there were some obstacles or inconveniences that make it more difficult to realize.

Here’s the thing: when you’re in the green, ideas and action flow pretty easily. But when there’s a time delay – such as a night of sleep and a morning to reconsider – it’s easy to let the inspiration slip away.

When you’re in the green, those obstacles are opportunities. As one of my favourite modern-day Stoics, Ryan Holiday, likes to say: The obstacle is the way.

Two important conversations

I’m not sure what kept me in the green over night – motivated, confident, excited – but the next morning I had two missions during my lunch block:

1. Talk to my teacher to outline my idea and ask permission to both do it and abandon my group project.
2. If that went well, talk to my group and ask them to handle my part without me (and make adjustments in under an hour.)

It would be really easy to chicken out of both of these conversations. But I was in love with my idea, and somehow had held onto the inspiration from the previous night.

The obstacle is the way

These potentially challenging conversations were my path to achieving what I wanted. There was no way around it. These two obstacles were my way forward.

I received permission and then I told my group I wasn’t going to present with them that day. (The did fine without me, by the way.)

I did my presentation the following day, and got a 10/10. The teacher said it was the first time anyone had ever thought of my presentation topic.

Why is this important?

I’m sharing this because as I’ve explored the concepts of green, yellow and red mindsets and applied them to life beyond the competitive arena, I’ve started picking out examples of “peak performances” in my life.

Normally, I was too shy of a kid to make demands of my teacher and too self-conscious to let my friends down. I still struggle with the idea of letting people down. Yet somehow in this 24-hour period I held onto my green mindset and fearlessly did both those things.

I was confident. I was excited by my idea. I was completely focused on my goal of presenting my idea to the class.

What often happens

When you’re in the yellow, the self-doubts creep in. The noise comes in and ruins your focus.

What will other people think? Maybe it’s not a good idea.

He’ll probably say no, so why bother?

My friends will be mad at me.

And while these intrusive thoughts might feel like they’re from a teenager nervously and excitedly talking to his teacher and friends, they’re not that different from an adult at work, or business owner, or an athlete or a content creator… you get the point.

These thoughts happen to everyone.

Holding onto the green

And yet when you’re in the green and fully connected to your best self – those thoughts aren’t just ignored, they don’t even exist.

The trick is holding onto that mental state long enough to have those difficult conversations, to execute on that new idea, to create something amazing.

I’m still not sure how or why I held onto my green state at that specific moment in time. Looking back on it though, I think of it as my first real brush with my best self.

Everyone’s had them. If you’re reading this, I’m sure you can pick out those moments from your past as well. Those green lights can give you confidence moving forward and insight into your best self now.