I was recently listening to the Tim Ferriss podcast in which he interviewed Scott Belsky. Scott’s father was a doctor in New York City emergency rooms and told his son a story about how when someone would come in to the ER with a particularly bad case, the doctor would prescribe 100 cc’s of Obecalp. The intention was to immediately give the patient HOPE, as Obecalp is simply placebo spelled backwards.
I wonder how much we, as educators, should be prescribing some Obecalp. Sometimes, it might be as simple as prescribing something that will give our students HOPE. It might be as simple as prescribing something to our colleagues that give them HOPE. It might be as simple as prescribing something to our parents and families that give them HOPE.
The next time you feel as if you are meeting someone at their lowest point, start by giving them some Obecalp. Give them HOPE and let them believe that you will do everything in your power to help them.
Rich (@RACzyz)