---
title: "Shutdown Points to Fear"
id: "3667"
type: "post"
slug: "shutdown"
published_at: "2012-12-14T15:55:26+00:00"
modified_at: "2015-03-09T04:00:12+00:00"
url: "https://johnpoelstra.com/shutdown/"
markdown_url: "https://johnpoelstra.com/shutdown.md"
excerpt: "The physical and emotional sensation of shutting down is an indicator that you are experiencing a feeling you’d rather avoid. What is that feeling? Figure it out (hard). And let it be (even harder). Regardless of how it manifests, a......"
taxonomy_category:
  - "Productivity"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "feelings"
---

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# [Shutdown Points to Fear](https://johnpoelstra.com/shutdown/)

[http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/177403](http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/177403)

The physical and emotional sensation of shutting down is an indicator that you are experiencing a feeling you’d rather avoid. What is that feeling?

Figure it out (hard). And let it be (even harder).

> Regardless of how it manifests, a shutdown only means one thing–there’s an emotion you’re not feeling. Why aren’t you feeling it? Because you are afraid. You’re afraid that feeling will be worse than not feeling it. But in reality that’s seldom the case. While you can certainly choose to avoid situations that may elicit a particular feeling, you can’t protect yourself from a feeling once it arises. Any attempt at such protection, even when well intentioned, will only serve to keep you shut down. [Raphael Cushnir, page 10](http://www.amazon.com/Setting-Your-Heart-Fire-Invitations/dp/076791385X/)
> .

#### John Poelstra

John Poelstra coaches directors in finance and software. Trained through the Co-Active Training Institute, he has coached for more than 10 years, with over 520 clients and 3,150 sessions, including people at well-known Fortune 100 companies. In over 30 years of professional experience, he spent 25 in technology and finance: software testing, project management and team leadership at Red Hat and Dell/EMC, and finance as a bank auditor at Wells Fargo and a CPA at Grant Thornton. He hosts The John Poelstra Show podcast and is based in Portland, Oregon.

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December 14, 2012

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