IFS: Check-In with the Taskmaster, Deed-doer
I don't know much about this next aspect. The Taskmaster image is just a grouchy mature to old man who is rather self-righteous and ambitious.
Hilariously, I googled "Taskmaster" and there's a British show called that and here is the guy who stars in it:
I decided to go ahead and use that image, as his expression, particularly in that pic, perfectly fits the mood that I got from this aspect in our very brief encounter before. He strikes me as frustrated, exasperated, and fed up with all the nonsense from my lazier aspects and my illness.
I feel I blended with him a lot while we were moving. I got a lot done then-- LOL!!
Okay, now on to my first real dialogue with the guy...
Me: I'd like to have a session with the Aspect known as The Taskmaster. Could you come forward and have a chat with me?
Taskmaster: Certainly! *he answers with a British accent, briskly entering my mental room* And what is it you wish to speak about?
Me: *trying not to laugh* Um... wow. I don't know what I was expecting, but okay... *gave up and laughed*
Taskmaster: *cocks an eyebrow at me, faintly amused* I'm efficient, brisk, and focused on the task at hand. What else did you expect? You often hear a British accent in your head when busy with certain things... I would think I should fit the bill nicely.
Me: I guess I thought the British accent of efficiency was a woman--? Anyway, nice to meet you at last, properly. I wanted to thank you for your commitment to helping me get moved in last year. You kept me motivated and "on task" and that's no small thing for my system.
Taskmaster: Tell me about it! *shakes head*
Me: I'm sure! So... I wanted to know how you're doing and if there's anything you need to tell me.
Taskmaster: Dear me! Where do I start? Well, a bunch of the ship's captains are off-duty at the moment, taking a break in their berths and sleeping or something. I have next to no help lately, but I've come to expect that in dribs and drabs coming from your lot.
Me: Yeah, the message I'm getting from a lot of the working rays, and emotional ones for that matter, is that everyone is burnt out right now.
Taskmaster: Indeed!
Me: You don't seem burnt out at all, though. You're still raring to go.
Taskmaster: I am, it's true. Lots to do! Lots to do! However, I am only ONE aspect, and my power is somewhat limited. I suppose I wish I could get us up and running to do more.
Me: I'm sensing that some of my anxiety lately is coming from you. Are YOU the restless Ray in my head, pacing back and forth and making me feel like I can't relax? Because that's been a real problem lately. I feel... unsafe. Are you connected to that?
Taskmaster: *looks chagrined* I must confess to some involvement on that front. But the anxiety is not coming from me. I am not anxious. I'm eager! There is a difference.
Me: Yes, I'm sure. I mean to say, you don't seem upset, just-- I don't know... hyper?
Taskmaster: Guilty as charged. I want to get things done and cross them off the list. I'm quite good friends with Irma, as I'm sure you can imagine. We're a good team, she and I.
Me: Yeah, I bet! So who is anxious? Is there a Shadow you're guarding or controlling?
Taskmaster: There is. Quite a tweaker, if you don't mind my saying.
Me: Ah. Um, could I meet this anxious "tweaker" at some point soon? Would you have an objection to that?
Taskmaster: No objection. The trick will be getting them to come out. But you have a good reputation with the aspects for the most part, I'm sure you'll work it out. My contribution is that when I'm able to accomplish things, I can quiet the frightened Shadow into resting for a time.
Me: Why would your being busy calm down the Shadow?
Taskmaster: Well, they're afraid of losing the basics of survival, aren't they? I've told them if we get our things done, they're in no danger. They believe me and calm down.
Me: Are you the one who told them they'd be in danger in the first place if they DIDN'T get shit done?
Taskmaster: What? Who- me? *scoffs* No! No- no no. It was some other authoritarian figure bumbling about up in that noggin of yours! I don't worry about the bigger picture stuff myself. I decide what needs doing and get about doing it, that's ALL.
Me: I see. So, who is the Big Bad regarding survival?
Taskmaster: I don't have access to that knowledge right now. It's like I get little directives from deep down that rather trump what little directives you give me, and I'm sort of stuck trying to balance it all out. It doesn't help that the body often just gives out- because then what am I to do?
Me: Yeah, I can sympathize. So, to get back to the main point: you get directives from more hidden areas of my psyche that are more powerful than what my conscious Self decides? Did I get that right?
Taskmaster: Yes. Quite!
Me: Hmmm.
Taskmaster: Yes! Quite...
Me: Okay, I suppose I'll have to explore that more at a later time. So, your job is to help keep me motivated to get things done?
Taskmaster: Yes. And to get it done quickly and properly. I brook no nonsense! And I believe I have to take some of the blame for "bitchiness" as you put it, towards your reluctant roommate to comply when she drags her feet.
Me: Ah-! That wasn't all Irma.
Taskmaster: No. Again, guilty.
Me: I see. Thanks for clarifying that!
Taskmaster: Of course.
Me: Anything else you wish to communicate to me? Anything you need?
Taskmaster: MORE POWER! Mwah-ha-ha-ha HA! ..... Just kidding!
Me: *burst out giggling at this*
Taskmaster: I believe that healing other aspects will make my job easier, so I support your efforts. Beyond that, I need... you to TRY more even when you feel unmotivated. Just start and I'll take over from there. However, I know it is others that tend to de-motivate you while I'm trying to motivate you, so we're back to the whole "heal those aspects" request again.
I don't believe I need more than that as this time, but perhaps some group-work for several aspects in this area including myself might be possible? I would be open to such work.
Me: Ah- yes! Okay. I already have that on my agenda. I was thinking I might have you, the anxious Shadow, and the Imperious Survival mystery aspect all in on a session someday soon perhaps.
Taskmaster: I think that might fit the bill.
Me: Great! I'm not sure when I'll get to it, but not too long into the future because of that whole anxiety thing being related. Thanks for the chat and more to come!
END SESSION.
I believe this guy just ratted out another aspect! That's hilarious! "I'm not the problem, THAT one over THERE is!" LOL!
But whatever it takes to get down to the problem and solve it so I'm not a basketcase is fine by me.
Hilariously, I googled "Taskmaster" and there's a British show called that and here is the guy who stars in it:
I decided to go ahead and use that image, as his expression, particularly in that pic, perfectly fits the mood that I got from this aspect in our very brief encounter before. He strikes me as frustrated, exasperated, and fed up with all the nonsense from my lazier aspects and my illness.
I feel I blended with him a lot while we were moving. I got a lot done then-- LOL!!
Okay, now on to my first real dialogue with the guy...
Me: I'd like to have a session with the Aspect known as The Taskmaster. Could you come forward and have a chat with me?
Taskmaster: Certainly! *he answers with a British accent, briskly entering my mental room* And what is it you wish to speak about?
Me: *trying not to laugh* Um... wow. I don't know what I was expecting, but okay... *gave up and laughed*
Taskmaster: *cocks an eyebrow at me, faintly amused* I'm efficient, brisk, and focused on the task at hand. What else did you expect? You often hear a British accent in your head when busy with certain things... I would think I should fit the bill nicely.
Me: I guess I thought the British accent of efficiency was a woman--? Anyway, nice to meet you at last, properly. I wanted to thank you for your commitment to helping me get moved in last year. You kept me motivated and "on task" and that's no small thing for my system.
Taskmaster: Tell me about it! *shakes head*
Me: I'm sure! So... I wanted to know how you're doing and if there's anything you need to tell me.
Taskmaster: Dear me! Where do I start? Well, a bunch of the ship's captains are off-duty at the moment, taking a break in their berths and sleeping or something. I have next to no help lately, but I've come to expect that in dribs and drabs coming from your lot.
Me: Yeah, the message I'm getting from a lot of the working rays, and emotional ones for that matter, is that everyone is burnt out right now.
Taskmaster: Indeed!
Me: You don't seem burnt out at all, though. You're still raring to go.
Taskmaster: I am, it's true. Lots to do! Lots to do! However, I am only ONE aspect, and my power is somewhat limited. I suppose I wish I could get us up and running to do more.
Me: I'm sensing that some of my anxiety lately is coming from you. Are YOU the restless Ray in my head, pacing back and forth and making me feel like I can't relax? Because that's been a real problem lately. I feel... unsafe. Are you connected to that?
Taskmaster: *looks chagrined* I must confess to some involvement on that front. But the anxiety is not coming from me. I am not anxious. I'm eager! There is a difference.
Me: Yes, I'm sure. I mean to say, you don't seem upset, just-- I don't know... hyper?
Taskmaster: Guilty as charged. I want to get things done and cross them off the list. I'm quite good friends with Irma, as I'm sure you can imagine. We're a good team, she and I.
Me: Yeah, I bet! So who is anxious? Is there a Shadow you're guarding or controlling?
Taskmaster: There is. Quite a tweaker, if you don't mind my saying.
Me: Ah. Um, could I meet this anxious "tweaker" at some point soon? Would you have an objection to that?
Taskmaster: No objection. The trick will be getting them to come out. But you have a good reputation with the aspects for the most part, I'm sure you'll work it out. My contribution is that when I'm able to accomplish things, I can quiet the frightened Shadow into resting for a time.
Me: Why would your being busy calm down the Shadow?
Taskmaster: Well, they're afraid of losing the basics of survival, aren't they? I've told them if we get our things done, they're in no danger. They believe me and calm down.
Me: Are you the one who told them they'd be in danger in the first place if they DIDN'T get shit done?
Taskmaster: What? Who- me? *scoffs* No! No- no no. It was some other authoritarian figure bumbling about up in that noggin of yours! I don't worry about the bigger picture stuff myself. I decide what needs doing and get about doing it, that's ALL.
Me: I see. So, who is the Big Bad regarding survival?
Taskmaster: I don't have access to that knowledge right now. It's like I get little directives from deep down that rather trump what little directives you give me, and I'm sort of stuck trying to balance it all out. It doesn't help that the body often just gives out- because then what am I to do?
Me: Yeah, I can sympathize. So, to get back to the main point: you get directives from more hidden areas of my psyche that are more powerful than what my conscious Self decides? Did I get that right?
Taskmaster: Yes. Quite!
Me: Hmmm.
Taskmaster: Yes! Quite...
Me: Okay, I suppose I'll have to explore that more at a later time. So, your job is to help keep me motivated to get things done?
Taskmaster: Yes. And to get it done quickly and properly. I brook no nonsense! And I believe I have to take some of the blame for "bitchiness" as you put it, towards your reluctant roommate to comply when she drags her feet.
Me: Ah-! That wasn't all Irma.
Taskmaster: No. Again, guilty.
Me: I see. Thanks for clarifying that!
Taskmaster: Of course.
Me: Anything else you wish to communicate to me? Anything you need?
Taskmaster: MORE POWER! Mwah-ha-ha-ha HA! ..... Just kidding!
Me: *burst out giggling at this*
Taskmaster: I believe that healing other aspects will make my job easier, so I support your efforts. Beyond that, I need... you to TRY more even when you feel unmotivated. Just start and I'll take over from there. However, I know it is others that tend to de-motivate you while I'm trying to motivate you, so we're back to the whole "heal those aspects" request again.
I don't believe I need more than that as this time, but perhaps some group-work for several aspects in this area including myself might be possible? I would be open to such work.
Me: Ah- yes! Okay. I already have that on my agenda. I was thinking I might have you, the anxious Shadow, and the Imperious Survival mystery aspect all in on a session someday soon perhaps.
Taskmaster: I think that might fit the bill.
Me: Great! I'm not sure when I'll get to it, but not too long into the future because of that whole anxiety thing being related. Thanks for the chat and more to come!
END SESSION.
I believe this guy just ratted out another aspect! That's hilarious! "I'm not the problem, THAT one over THERE is!" LOL!
But whatever it takes to get down to the problem and solve it so I'm not a basketcase is fine by me.