Part two of: "Words that discourage or encourage?" -David Breth In part one I wrote the statement that reads: "DO NOT bad mouth your 'general' (boss/owner), to other employees, this knocks him/her down in the respect level that should be in place (not as a tyrant, but as a manager/owner)." Then at the bottom of article one in this series regarding words I typed this 'note': "Note: I have a rule that those who associate with me know and they know it well and to be true-no exceptions! I will not talk bad about anyone, nor will I listen to anyone talk bad about someone! Sure like most people, a 'good juicy story' is very, very tempting to indulge in, but to stop, say no and walk away is so much better. You feel great later when you see the person(s) that were being bad mouthed, with the knowledge that you stood firm and did not take part in their verbal slaughter...you can look them straight in the eye and feel great about doing it." Though I have this rule and it has been a strong foundation for me and a great part of my ever growing success as an individual, this week past I too was 'caught' in the web of bad mouthing! What? Yes, this is true. I was having lunch with my father and as we sat a talked I began to share a few things about a particular place of business that I do not like how it is being managed. As I talked, I began to deliver detailed information about how ..."the overall staff does what they do and how they do not do this and they do not do this and they should and need to do and say this"... . Now, take in mind no one else is around and after all I am not sharing individual names, I am just talking in generalizations. Now at this point my father looks at me and freely hands me his fatherly input: ..."David you often talk of being positive, having an optimistic attitude, not talking negative and how powerful words are, and here you sit sharing this same type of dogmatic insight with me. Now David, you can continue to do this or maybe you can help this business's situation out by becoming the spark they need to light what has become wet and soggy"... "Hello, check please" (the clue phone is now ringing off of the hook)! Now I could of continued in my 'negative' chat or I could of swallowed crow and received the valuable advice from my father. Well needless to say, I swallowed crow, took heed to the advice of my dad and changed the conversation and my thought process immediately. Was it easy to change gears so abruptly? No way! I knew what action(s) had to be taken and I did it. Now back to this articles title: "Check yourself, before you wreck yourself...and others around you". We should often be willing to listen, not just hear what others are saying, but listen to what they are saying. Most of us have two ears and one mouth, this is so we can listen twice as much as we talk. When we hear what is being shared to help better our attitude and the words we speak, take what is being said to heart and note your how your feelings and mind-set and those around you begin to mature and change for the better. Yes, stop, look and listen. Daily check yourself, before you wreck yourself. You and all those around you will be glad you did. "Some people light up a room when they enter, some when they leave." Part Two |
