THE DAILY SPARK

YOU’RE RIGHT

If a customer, a colleague or a friend is generous enough to share their feelings, those feelings are what they are.  We might disagree with the assumptions that led to those feelings.  But acknowledging that the feelings are real is a great place to begin a conversation.  “You feel this way” is not the same as “Everyone who experienced what you experienced would feel the same way.”

FROM:  Seth Godin’s Daily Blog

REFLECTION:

  • Acknowledging what someone else feels opens the window to conversation/communication.
  • It is obvious our experiences shape our view of the world… how can you gain understanding into another’s experience to better understand them?
  • Imagine someone being curious enough to understand what you experienced … which has led to your views. 
  • Try this on today!

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE CHAPTERS

Molinaseca - on the Camino de Santiago

CHAPTER ONE

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  

I fall in.

I am lost… I am helpless.

It isn’t my fault.

it take forever to find a way out.

CHAPTER TWO

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don’t see  it.

I fall in again.

I can’t believe I am in the same place.

But, it isn’t my fault.

It still takes me a long time to get out.

CHAPTER THREE


I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I still fall in… It’s a habit… but,

my eyes are open.

I know where I am.

It is my fault.

I get out immediately.

CHAPTER FOUR

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

CHAPTER FIVE

I walk down another street.

Portia Nelson, THERE’S A HOLE IN MY SIDEWALK: The Romance of Self- Discovery

REFLECTION:

  • How many times have you “walked down the same street”?
  • How many times have you fallen in the hole in the sidewalk?
  • Are you willing to take responsibility for falling in?
  • What “new street” can you walk down?

BE INTERESTED

Anyone can listen.  All you have to do is stop talking.  But to be a good listener, you have to stop talking and be interested.  Genuine curiosity is the precursor to understanding and a good listener helps the other person feel understood.

FROM:  Quote by James Clear from his book ATOMIC HABITS

To check out this book: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

REFLECTION:

  • How well do you listen?
  • Think of a recent conversation, did you feel understood?  Did the other person feel understood?
  • Is there someone in your life that listens so well, you feel understood? Who is it?Thank them… let them know you appreciate being heard!
  • How can you become a better listener?