#1192 Fool me Once - or Twice
Sometimes I struggle with believing I am missing something and wanting to think that I'm not. I tend to err on the side of trust (if one can say that is an error)
I often find myself the target of a jibe about my naivety. I certainly don't want to miss a hint that trouble is brewing, but I try to consciously choose to wait until I know for sure.
Humans, I find, are meaning-making machines and, to a fault, that meaning is too often something negative or derogatory. Allowing the idea that I don't know what I don't know, and that the evidence may be false or biased takes a lot of practice AND Patience!). Some people swear that this practice will get me burned and happily point out the few times it has. My response is that the risk is worth it. I'd rather attribute no fault and be burned a few times than be a cynic. And no, I don't think there is much of a happy medium. Obvious foul play is obvious to all of us, but attributing malintent to a behavior because you think it's obvious is cynical. The tricky part is that you most likely won't get this if you are cynical. Your biased memory will bring the times your suspicions were correct ("I have great instincts," shouts your subconscious) to the forefront, while conveniently ignoring the dozens of times they weren't.
1. "She didn't call back; she must be mad."
2. "If I hadn't said hello first, he would have ignored me."
3. "They're always late. They obviously don't care about anyone else."
4. "Did you see that smirk? She thinks I'm an idiot."
5. "He sat next to Sam. Isn't it obvious what he's trying to pull?"
6. "She's lazy. You can tell by the way she waltzes around that she doesn't want to work."
7. Beeeeeeeep! "What an asshole. Did you see that? He just cut in front of everyone waiting on line to exit!"
1. " Jeez, I forgot to call him back. It's a little late now. I have to remember tomorrow. I hope he's not mad at me."
2. "Oh hi! How are you? I didn't see you there. I forgot my glasses in the car."
3. "It's such a struggle to take care of Mom. Her chemo nausea seems to be worse in the morning. I hate being late."
4. "Hmm, he always comes up with something I would not have considered. I have to run more stuff by him."
5. "I'd better snag that seat near the door so I can step out unobtrusively when the doctor calls."
6. "God, this blood pressure medication is really knocking me out. I have to see if there is an alternative with fewer side effects.
7. "God, I can't believe she fell again. I hope I get there before they wheel her in for surgery. SORRY EVERYONE! God these people must think I’m an asshole.”
Own Your Sales Gene…