What it’s all about
At first glance, the image seems to show nothing more than a series of bollards, but upon closer inspection, it conveys a powerful metaphor for human self-management and coping with the uncertainties of life. All the bollards stand upright, rigid and unmoving—except one. This tilted bollard breaks the pattern, no longer standing straight like the others and appearing damaged at first. Yet it is in this apparent deviation that the essence of a deep insight into self-management and life leadership becomes clear.
Rigid Immobility as an Illusion of Stability
People often view a certain inner rigidity as a sign of stability and security. We develop habits, fixed ways of thinking, and rigid structures that guide us through daily life, giving us a sense of control. This form of constancy gives us the illusion that as long as we rely on these fixed principles, our lives will run smoothly. However, life, with its unpredictable twists, constantly forces us to confront change.
The tilted bollard in the centre of the image symbolises this moment of challenge—the moment when external forces question our supposed immovability. A heavy impact, possibly from a vehicle or a bike, has altered its form, while the other bollards remain untouched. Yet, it is this bollard that reminds us that true resilience does not lie in rigidity, but in the ability to adapt to external circumstances.
Flexibility as the Key to Inner Strength
From a psychological perspective, this image reveals a profound truth about the human psyche: the attempt to cling to rigid ideas can break us in the long run. Carl Gustav Jung, who always emphasised the complexity of the human unconscious, saw the flexibility of the self as essential for individuation. The ability to understand and develop oneself amidst change is at the heart of the personality development process. The tilted bollard represents those who learn to grow with life’s blows, rather than holding onto old structures and breaking.
In a working world increasingly characterised by uncertainty and change, leaders and employees alike must cultivate the ability to adapt and evolve. A rigid mindset that relies on routine and familiar patterns may provide short-term security but will ultimately fail in the face of the modern workplace’s demands. The ability, like the tilted bollard, not to break but to bend, is the true expression of strength and endurance.
Your Practical Rethinking Tip: Cultivating Adaptability
To integrate the wisdom of this metaphor into everyday life, individuals should consciously work on training their flexibility. An effective Rethinking approach is the regular review of one’s habits and patterns of thought. Once a week, reflect on a situation from the past week where you faced an unexpected challenge. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, consider how your response could have been improved by adopting a more flexible mindset. What might have happened if you had acted differently? What alternative solutions were available?
This process of reflection encourages the release of rigid reaction patterns and promotes a more open and flexible response to future situations. Over time, this mental adaptability becomes a strength, allowing you to remain calm and solution-focused even under pressure and in unfamiliar circumstances.
Conclusion
The image of the tilted bollard powerfully illustrates that true resilience does not lie in clinging rigidly to old structures but in the ability to adapt to change. Those who flexibly respond to challenges not only manage difficult situations more effectively but also grow and evolve over time. Flexibility is not a weakness but a profound expression of inner strength. Regular self-reflection on personal thought patterns and reactions to change is the key to developing this flexibility and achieving sustained success in all areas of life—both personal and professional.
Note
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R2049 