The Devil's Advocate - Joe Metcalfe

“When the Devil’s advocate is in the room, tell him to go to hell.” – George Lois

Why is that we are extremely creative and productive at times, but at other times have a lack of desire, or indifference pertaining to our goals?

I go through this in different areas of my life. There are ideas that excite me. There are plans that invigorate me. There are goals that fuel me. Yet, some of these ideas, plans, and goals have not been fulfilled.

Contrarily, I have had goals I have accomplished, fears I’ve overcome, and dreams I have realized. With others, I have not won the battle yet.

What is the battle?

The battle is fear. The belief you can’t do something. Sometimes, I listen to that voice which tells me, an idea is unrealistic. That goal is unattainable. That goal requires too much work.

That voice, is the Devil’s advocate. And as George Lois, one of my favorite authors says, “When the Devil’s advocate is in the room, tell him to go to hell.” And that’s exactly what we have to do. It’s exactly what I’ve done. And it’s exactly what I still need to do…

The Devil’s advocate can come in many forms:

The little voice in our head: I call it the ego. The ego doesn’t like change, and will do anything keep us comfortable, and complacent. It will feed on the past. Past examples of failure and uncertainty will be identified by the ego. The ego will attempt to flood the mind with these thoughts, disabling us from transformation and growth.

How to tell this form to go to hell: Presence. Be completely present. Focus on the now. This will give us awareness that we are not our past, or defined by our past. It’s helps us recognize that we are not our mind. Our mind is a tool for growth.

People are a form: If you hang out with dogs, you get fleas. You’ll be scratching your head wondering why you haven’t grown. The wrong people will put you down. They do this so their stagnant egos feel more comfortable around you. They are afraid of positive change. Hang around naysayers, and you will get a little Devil advocate voice in your head that “nay-says.”

How to tell this form to go to hell: Very simple here. Take inventory of the people you spend the most time with. Are they helping or hindering your growth? If it’s the latter, make the change, and make it now.

Environment is form: People play a large role in creating your environment. However, there are other factors I’m referring to with environment. Energy level and health are crucial. Exercise and eating habits will dictate your energy levels. An environment with unhealthy habits will impede your growth. Brain exercise is also crucial. Continuous learning in your field of interest is essential. If you don’t take a serious approach to this you will be left behind.

How to tell this form to go to hell: Keep your energy levels high with exercise, healthy diet, and enough sleep. Read and learn everyday. Be a lifelong learner.

Fear can be a scary thing, when we don’t do anything about it. The biggest antidote to fear is action. Fear can be a gut feeling in the pit of your stomach – that wrenching pain of uncertainty. To recognize it is there, and to take action regardless, is true power.

For six years, I had an awful fear of public speaking. A shaking, heart-racing fear consumed me when I thought of speaking to a large group. Finally, and begrudgingly, I decided to book myself a speaking gig. I hated my decision. I brooded over this presentation for months. “I don’t need to speak,” “I was doing just fine before.” It was an extremely uncomfortable feeling outside my comfort zone.

I prepared, I practiced, and I proceeded. After the fact; a complete shift. The fear vanished. Speaking on stage to people transformed from a fear to a joy. It was like I entered a different dimension in my mind. Looking back, it’s amusing how I let false emotions appear real (F.E.A.R.) about speaking. I felt true growth. I resolutely told the Devil’s advocate to go to Hell!

The best advice I can give is this:

ACT IN SPITE OF FEAR!

The Time is Now.

Joseph Metcalfe

References: “Damn Good Advice” by George Lois