Erosion is the process whereby the landscape changes gradually over time. Material is transported away by the actions of other processes such as the wind, the rain and animals carrying things off. As a result, over time the landscape is radically changed. We don't notice it because it is a gradual process. We are running on two different timescales; one moving fast (i.e. moment to moment) and the other at a much slower pace (i.e. months and years). It is very easy not to notice things changing if you see them constantly.
Every time you see something your brain makes minor adjustments to the stored image it holds. As the information is being constantly updated the difference between the image that is stored and the one that you see is small or even unnoticeable. However if you don't see something for a long time; your mind’s stored image can be quite out of date. Consequently when you see it again the difference is more noticeable, sometimes the difference is quite startling. Have you ever run into an old acquaintance and been shocked by their appearance because they're put on a lot of weight, lost it, or age dramatically? As you realise "wow you've got fat" is written all over your face, you blurt out "my you look well” - everybody knows that is code for "Oh my God what happened to you?"
Erosion is taking place in our personal lives too. In order to become aware of the changes taking place in your life, you have to metaphorically shift your timeframe so you can look back from the present-day image to what it was in the past. The old adage “use it or lose it” is compounded by erosion because you may be using it and not recognise the deterioration taking place in your skills, your appearance, your self-confidence because the changes are so gradual. To counteract the effects of erosion one needs to become aware of what is being lost and replace it if necessary. Here are three things you can do to counteract the effects of erosion in your personal life:
- Monitor: regularly record your current status. Parents know that the best way to see their child’s growth is to mark their height on a wall chart. If you create a "wall chart" to record your status, (for example if you wanted to measure your self-confidence you could periodically evaluate your confidence levels using one of the many online tests available ) you will be able to see the changes over time more readily.
- Ask for feedback from someone else, preferably someone who is not invested in making you feel good at all costs and is prepared to be honest with you. (Depending on the relationship you have with your mother/partner, they may or may not be this person.)
- Import new material. One way that humans have tried to reduce the impact of erosion on the environment has been to import new material into the area where it is being lost. You can apply this principle to your life by periodically importing new material to replace what is being lost. In other words: stick at your personal development; set goals and targets that stretch you and aim to learn something new from someone new every day.
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