This mental model, coined from Admiral James Stockdale, emphasizes acknowledging the brutal facts of a situation while keeping faith in eventual success.
The Stockdale Paradox is a concept promoting a dualistic approach in facing challenges: recognizing the reality of a situation and maintaining unwavering faith. For instance, during 2020's COVID-19 pandemic, businesses acknowledging their financial struggles (reality) yet remaining optimistic of recovery (faith) practiced the Stockdale Paradox. This attitude can galvanize resilience during adversity.
You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end - which you can never afford to lose - with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.
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