at work' and how many work days are lost because of it?
There are many reasons why people get stressed and dealing
with other people is one of the main causes of negative
stress.
Dealing with customers, your boss, the people who work for
you and other colleagues can be extremely stressful.
I continually hear comments such as - "Why does he want me
to do that?" or "How am I supposed to know what she's
thinking?" or "Why do they behave like that?"
We can get extremely stressed when people 'don't see things
the way we do.' Well, let me make something really clear -
other people DON'T see things the way you do or the way I do
and they might never do.
Every human being in this world is different from each
other; we're all as different as our finger prints. Some of
us are very similar and that's why we become friends with
some people and even marry them. However, as you well know,
even your closest friends and the person you share your life
with, still see the world differently from you.
Your customers, your boss, your staff and your colleagues,
all see the world and situations differently from you.
They're not necessarily doing or saying something just to
annoy you - it's just the way they see it. In any situation
that you face there will always be - 'The way I see it' -
'The way you see it' - 'The way it is.'
If I have to meet someone I'll always be on time (The way I
see it) Some people who meet me always turn up late (The way
they see it) It's up to me to make allowances for this when
making an arrangement to meet these people (The way it is)
There is absolutely no point in getting stressed over the
fact that these people don't see 'timekeeping' in the same
way I see it. Getting stressed is bad for me and it doesn't
change the situation.
When you're dealing with other people think to yourself -
"Do they decide how I'll behave or do I decide how I'll
behave?"
Let me tell you a quick story. Two men used to leave the
same office every night and walk to the bus stop. On the
way, one of the men would stop and buy a newspaper from a
news stand at the side of the road. The old man who ran the
news stand was always grumpy and ill mannered. However the
man who bought the newspaper was always polite and courteous
to the old man. One evening the man's friend said - "I don't
understand why you're always so polite and courteous to that
guy, he's always so rude."
The other man replied - "I will not allow that man's
behaviour to decide mine. I will decide my own behaviour and
I'll always treat him with courtesy and respect; how he
behaves is up to him."
So don't let your customers or anyone else 'stress you out'
- just remember; they just see the world in a different way.
"Great Spirit, help me never to judge another until I have
walked a mile in his moccasins" - Sioux Indian saying
Alan Fairweather - The Motivation Doctor - is a professional
speaker, author and business development expert.
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