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Hello dudes!

Last night I got together with one of my pals from work whom I haven’t been able to see in quite some time.  As the evening and the conversation wore on eventually we reached a point or topic in which I made a comment, my intent being to enlighten my friend on a particular subject. He, being a good friend, received it well, but (also because he was a good friend) choose to take that moment to enlighten me on how I spoke or rather presented my idea to him. He said, even though he knew it was not my intent, that I have a tendency to come across harsh. Perhaps it was all those years as a military briefer! You’ve got to condense everything you want to say into short bullet statements and delivery them with authority or you won’t be believed.

Nevertheless, I took his words to heart and asked him to elaborate some more. He did. He didn’t us it as an opportunity to chop me down. Rather he could tell  I was seriously and honestly wanting answers and wanting to improve this blind spot in my behavior. I was, and am, grateful to him.  I prefer to take the attitude that I always need to improve on something and that as much self evaluating as I do in attempting to do just that, I still have blind spots that I need other people who care about me and also want me to improve (want the best for me) to point out to me. So I find it is best to not get defensive (“I am NOT!!!”), but rather take an open and learning mind to the situation. Listen and learn.

Of course, the disclaimer here is that I am listening to people who care about me and also want me to improve and want the best for me. I’m not going to let myself be manipulated that would want to use my desire to improve just to  ”get” something out of me. I certainly try to keep my eyes and ears open for them.

Just wanted to share. Always keep learning, always keep moving forward.

Remember that old saying, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

Russ