Learned Helplessness: A Psychological Barrier We All Can Face

We've all encountered times in our lives when challenges felt overwhelming. In these moments, it’s easy to feel stuck, as if no amount of effort can change our situation. This experience is commonly referred to as Learned Helplessness in psychology. It occurs when, after repeated setbacks or failures, we begin to believe that we have no control over the outcome, leading us to stop trying. It's a powerful psychological barrier, but it doesn't have to define our future.

However, each day presents an opportunity to shift that mindset and reclaim our power. By taking intentional steps, we can free ourselves from the limitations imposed by learned helplessness.

A Real-life Example

A great example that represents the impact of Learned Helplessness demonstrates how we are vulnerable to setbacks, daily. A teacher shared two lists of anagrams. Anagrams are words which can be rearranged to form new words. For example, the word bat can be arranged to spell the word tab. Another example is iceman from the word cinema. These are examples of "solvable" anagrams. 

In the exercise with the students, the teacher divided the class into two groups, not knowing they were in a separate group. Half of the room received three solvable anagrams. In fact, the first two were really quite simple. The other half of the students also received a list of three words. The first two were not anagrams. None of the student's knew there were two lists. The instructor asked the students to look at the first word. She would then ask, "How many of you solved the first word." Half of the room shot their hands up and half of them looked puzzled and frustrated. She moved onto the next word and repeated the exercise. Clearly half of the room was struggling to understand why others seemed to have such easy solutions to the problem, believing everyone had the same list of words.

The third word was the same across both lists. It was a difficult anagram, but still solvable. When the teacher moved on to the final word, the students who received the list of three anagrams found the third one easy to solve. The other half struggled, with most students failing or at a minimum having zero confidence in their answer.

The teacher then asked the students with the impossible list to explain why they struggled with the third word, they referenced that they were embarrassed or they had no confidence, as they struggled with the first two words, while others seemed to have no problem coming up with a solution. At that point they believed they all had the same list, so it was really a setback to them. 

Learned Helplessness can happen when we fail to complete tasks. Or if we struggle where others seem to flourish. 

Impact On Your Business

So many people struggle with rejection Making sales calls, only to have multiple "failed experiences?" Or perhaps your sales message leaves you feeling as if you've failed? 

We all face these hurdles, but Learned Helplessness may just lead us to believe we can't succeed. If it becomes harder and harder to pick up the phone. Or if we doubt that we can find success when we make our attempts, we may just be falling into a psychological trap that limits our ability to thrive, due to our own limiting beliefs brought on by a series of failed events. 

Here are a few practical strategies to avoid being held back by Learned Helplessness:

1. Take Small Steps

Big goals can seem daunting, especially if you're already feeling overwhelmed. Start small. Break down your larger goals into manageable tasks, and focus on just one step at a time. Even the tiniest action can lead to progress. And with each step forward, make sure to celebrate your wins, no matter how small they may seem. Success builds confidence and momentum.

2. Start with a Win

Many people advise tackling your hardest task first, thinking that accomplishing the biggest challenge will set the tone for the day. While that works for some, I recommend starting with a win. It could be something as simple as phoning a supportive friend (phoning a friendly), completing a task you're confident about, or finishing something that jumpstarts your momentum. By creating an early victory, you're setting yourself up for success with the right mindset.

3. Challenge Negative Beliefs

Negative thoughts are a core component of learned helplessness. When you catch yourself thinking, "I can't do this," pause and reframe the thought. Instead of accepting defeat, ask yourself, "How can I approach this differently?" or "What can I do to move forward?" Shifting your inner dialogue is key to breaking free from limiting beliefs and opening yourself up to new possibilities.

4. Seek Support

We’re not meant to go through challenges alone. Surrounding yourself with people who lift you up and challenge you to grow is crucial. This is why BOSS Academy exists, to provide a network of individuals who encourage each other to rise above limitations and share strategies for growth. A supportive environment can help you push through obstacles, gain new perspectives, and remind you that you're not powerless.

Remember, Setbacks Aren’t Permanent

While setbacks are a natural part of life, they don’t have to define your journey. Learned Helplessness is a mindset we can all fall into, but with intentional action, the right support, and a commitment to growth, you can regain control and shape your future.

Each day is an opportunity to write a new chapter, and you hold the pen.