Inner Conflict
Inner conflict can be difficult to recognize, yet in many ways this conflict is the most difficult to live with. Examples:
- Perhaps you have set an at-work goal that will cut down the time you spend with your family. You may feel conflicted about such a goal.
- You know you should go to a meeting where an important social issue will be discussed and a strategy developed. However, you are tired and would really prefer to stay home. Your conscience says “go” and your body says “stay.”
- You disagree with your boss about a decision that has just been made. Part of you thinks you should be strong and voice your opposition. Another part of you says to just sit tight.
- You have just been offered the opportunity to apply for a promotion. Part of you wants to go for it. You are long-overdue a raise and you know you can do the job. However, another part of you recognizes that you could try and fail. That might be worse than never trying at all. Besides, you are comfortable right now. You know your job. You could do it blindfolded. Do you really need the headache of a new job?
Inner conflicts are often about questions of integrity, values, and ethics—about doing the right thing versus what you want to do.
Lesson Summary
Inner conflict is often difficult to recognize, yet it can be the most challenging to live with. Here are some examples:
- You have set a work goal that will reduce the time you spend with your family. You feel conflicted about this goal, as you know it goes against your desire to spend more time with your loved ones.
- You are tired and would prefer to stay home instead of attending a meeting where an important social issue will be discussed. Your conscience tells you to go, but your body wants to stay.
- You disagree with a decision made by your boss. One part of you thinks you should voice your opposition and be strong, while another part says to stay quiet and go along with it.
- You have been offered a promotion, and part of you wants to go for it. You know you can do the job well and it comes with a raise. However, another part of you worries about the possibility of failure and the discomfort of starting a new job.
Inner conflicts often revolve around questions of integrity, values, and ethics. They involve choosing between doing what is right versus what you personally want to do.