Page 35 - Mousy Mouse Has a Bad Day

Our culture often praises those who achieve, which in itself is not bad. But if those achievements are not the result of our realistic best effort but rather an irrational need to dominate, regardless of the cost to ourselves, family and friends then it is based on “stinky thinking.” The ultimate consequence of stinky thinking is always disappointment.
If you have a child who makes good grades but his/her motivation stems from the belief that “I must be best and will show everyone by always having the best grades,” then the motivation is based on Stinky Thinking. They are driven to achieve but possibly at the cost of friendships and if someone else does achieve better grades, then the student will be terribly upset, may even stop trying to succeed and have their grades drop off significantly.
This type of thinking is typical in children, as is much of the stinky thinking discussed in the Coping Skills’ stories. Much of the stinky thinking that is typical in many children may be abandoned as they get older. Unfortunately, there is a percentage that will doggedly hold on to this type of thinking into adulthood.
They may become the outstanding salesman, who is never happy, abuses alcohol and is never home for family. They may be the adult who is in chronic debt because they must have the latest, most expensive or most popular... whatever. The bottom line
is that this type of “comparison” thinking and perfectionism will lead to unhappiness.
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