The workplace can be a fierce battlefield of keeping up appearances and evasion of embarrassment. Although, the whole scene is really staged to reflect human behaviour in general. Eager to impress, people’s fight and flight mechanisms can go haywire immediately at the slightest encounter with a senior or employer…whether it be a conversation, an off-comment, or even a look!
A harmless comment or suggestion for improvement is somehow misconstrued by the receiver as harsh criticism…
- Oh I stuffed up…
- I’m no good…
- They must be really hate me and think i’m an idiot…
- They must think I’m dumb…
- I’m not loved…
Isn’t that the shortest range of Chinese Whispers ever??!
Whether the observer bares any ill will or not, how we receive it is entirely our choosing. I’m not suggesting we then stomp on wearing a cloak of defensive pride. Much better to accept our mistakes and move on to improve for the better. However, take the ‘I’m crap’ bit out of the equation because if you turn back and look again, chances are…it was never really there!
Errors are learning curves and gifts from the Universe to build strength and wisdom. To that end, don’t be afraid to:
- Making a mistake – failure is the mother of success
- ‘Ridiculed’ by your friends – it’s not personal!
- ‘Ridiculed’ by your loved ones – they want the best for you…tough love may not be pleasant to the senses but it sure is pure!
- ‘Ridiculed’ by even your mentor – they bring out the best in you by challenging you…treat it as a that and every opportunity to grow.
