Engagement

The store is about to close and you can tell the cashier is exhausted after standing for eight plus hours. You hurriedly put your goods on the conveyor belt and a vivid image of your last visit comes to mind. You remember the cashier helper turning over all the goods so the bar code was easily accessible for scanning. You decide to do the same thing. As the cashier rings you up, you jokingly tell the cashier that you learned how to help her get home faster (by putting the barcodes face up.) She smiles, nods her head, and starts laughing. She says, “Thank you. This is quite helpful. It’s wonderful that more people are starting to do this.” This simple act made two people’s lives go by easier and faster. As you go through your day, where do you get frustrated that people don’t understand you? Where can you teach someone how to treat you?   Here are four tips to get you started: 1)   Do not assume someone knows something or knows what you want. Say exactly what you want. Never assume someone knows what you want. Clearly convey exactly what you want. If you want your salad dressing on the side and not mixed in, say so. The vast majority of people want the other person to be happy. Tell them how to do so. 2)   Clearly convey expectations and deadlines. “Expectation is the root of all heartache” – William Shakespeare Expectations are a double-edge sword. (A) With no expectations, you will never have disappointments. Yet, (B) setting expectations too high, someone will never meet them. The key is for expectations to be mutually understood and conveyed. One way to do this is at the end of a conversation, summarize what your understanding is and confirm the path forward. “My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus.”  – Stephen Hawking 3)   Listen. Actively listen to what someone else is saying and talking about. Understand their intent and reasoning. If you have a different opinion, acknowledge their view and state why you think your option may have a different set of benefits. 4)   Treat yourself the way you want others to treat you. “You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce.” Tony Gaskins   You’re the best role model to show others how to interact with you. Do you treat yourself with respect, appreciation, or understanding? If you don’t, how can you expect others to do the same for you? Over the next week, pick one of these tips and implement it on a daily basis. At the end of the week, see if your interactions with others become smoother. You deserve to be treated well and so do others.     Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day! Lora Polowczuk Chief Energy Officer © Priority Retreats International