“your ambition may get you there, but your lack of knowledge may not sustain you”. 

       We live in a world where everything is moving at a fast pace. It’s so easy to assume that certain things in life has to be achieved quickly or if something doesn’t happen right away then it’s not going to happen at all. Unfortunately, that’s the wrong attitude.  Moving too fast and taking on too much, too soon can be crippling and sometimes devastating. 

Example, there’s something about an exquisitely tasty dish that lingers with you, don’t you agree? So, when preparing a meal, if you don’t take time to season and put in the right ingredients and/or you cook too fast, the food just doesn’t taste as good as when it’s properly season, marinated or slowly cooked to perfection. Although the dish has the same ingredients, your palate doesn’t experience the same taste.

       Social media and media in general tend to promote fast-paced, get it quick and get it now. Moving too quickly often yields foolish and unwise decisions and in haste, things are not  thoroughly planned or thought-out. Sure, everyone  wants to see a measure of success and progress in work, business and even personal life. However, there’s something about taking the time to weigh all options, considering the details and possibilities of the whole that sharpens, grounds and prepares us to gain a much stronger footage. So, if you’re rushing to get to the top too fast, too soon; you may miss some vital information and crucial lessons along the way. A mentor once shared with me, “your ambition may get you there, but your lack of knowledge may not sustain you”. 

       The Bible says it this way “we perish for lack of knowledge”. Yes, you know where you want to go, but the take time to acquire all the details because too much, too soon just may not be enough after all. 

My Best To You

Amy

     I was sitting in a restaurant trying to eat in a hurry while reading through my notes before my presentation. I overheard a customer talking rather loudly and rudely to the waiter. It obviously caught my attention as with a few others nearby. The customer was making ridiculous complaints about nothing. First it was that she didn’t like where they seated her, then it was the drink, followed by her complaints about the meal and so on. The waiter always kept her composure and was quite professional and I admired that. I admit it was noisy in the restaurant but it’s to be expected with a lunch crowd in a downtown business district. The customer continued to complain and then even after they finished, she had the nerve to demand a refund for the meal because she said the food was not cooked well. I wanted to personally go over a say “hey lady, you need to get a grip, you just ate most your food and now you want to complain? Sounds like you’re trying to get a free meal.”  

         When the waiter didn’t offer it to her she asked for the manager and fortunately he wasn’t there, so she yelled at her some more. Eventually, she left but not without saying a few more choice words to the waiter. From observation this probably wasn’t the first time she had done this.

        You'll find a lot of this kind of hostility in the service industry these days. Some people must think they carry an “unlimited rudeness card” with them. They are always on edge about little of nothing. The way the customer acted is a lot like how some people treat others; especially ones they don’t know. They take the position that if you are serving them you are  supposed to endure whatever they throw at you. 

      I am here to deliver a  message to those who treat others with hostility and rudeness: “BE CAREFUL, YOUR HORNS ARE SHOWING”. You’re acting like the devil you can be.  The bible says, “you reap what you sow.” It means, whatever you dish out to someone you can expect it to return to you at some point ------just like a boomerang. 

     Matthew 22:39 tells us we should “love our neighbor as we love ourselves.” Ephesians 4 reminds us to “Be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as Christ forgives and treats you.” And “Do not let corrupt talk come out of your mouth.  Learn to be pleasant and kin. It it really so hard to be courteous?

     Perhaps you had a bad day, or someone treated you badly, don’t take it out on anyone else.  Always ask yourself before you act viciously, is this the way I would want someone to treat me? If you said no, then change your demeanor. No one has to tell you when you’re being rude and nasty, you know it. 

     If you answered yes, or you just don’t care then keep in mind at some point you will meet up with the same and it just maybe from someone you like or admire…that would hurt. 

     God has a way of allowing us to experience things to teach us, when we fail to see in ourselves or refuse to correct what we know we should. 

My motto --------

Be You Best Always

Take Care

Amy

        We all know the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood.” There’s a few versions to this story, but basically she was seen as an obedient little girl who was told by her mother to take goodies to her sick grandmother. She walked through the woods alone (you’ve got me there...I wouldn't). The story never suggested she had any issues with going by herself, not even when she met the wolf on her way. It wasn't until she got to the house and began questioning the wolf who was pretending to be grandmother that things took a turn.

        As far as the wolf was concerned he had no problem swallowing up grandmother whole and then moving on to his next victim, Little Red Riding Hood. I didn't  write this story, okay?

So, let’s take this into the Workplace:

This new employee had been with the company for a few months. They’re quite efficient, with impeccable follow-through and always goes the extra mile to get the job done. The Personal Styles Inventory (a personality assessment), describes this  personality type as a “Thinker.” They’re intelligent and good at problem-solving. 

The unspoken rule in the office was “stay in your lane”. This employee started  questioning some decisions and brought it to the boss, thinking they would appreciate these suggestions. The first time they did it, they were brushed off by their superior, but the second time this boss showed his ‘wolf-like fangs’ and went straight for the jugular.   He was known for devouring anyone who stood in his way or disagreed with him. It didn’t matter how ridiculous or illogical his instructions could be, you just followed and kept your mouth shut. So, imagen the newbie’s shock when they were basically ‘swallowed whole’ right in front of everyone? 

He likes doing it that way, it commands control and gives him a sense of superiority.

 

♦How dare you question your boss. You're  not supposed to evaluate any decision they make.

♦Must you be reminded your opinion and suggestions doesn't matter?  You're  supposed to listen and do your work without questioning anything. 

• You've just come face to face with ‘THE BIG BAD WOLF’.
  
   
• Fact Check 1:  There are some leaders/managers who are intimidated by subordinates, their skills, experience, intelligence, etc. Keep in mind intimidation can grow to jealousy, jealously often yields cruelty and insensitivity, no matter how wonderful you are at your job. These leaders feel threaten and their ego is bigger than the building they’re housed in. It’s hard for them to embrace anyone’s skills or expertise if it is a threat to their own. They’re too busy drowning in their own inadequacies.  All they can see is that you might outshine them or possibly take their job. Let me be clear, I am not telling you to question everything your leader/manager does. However, you shouldn’t allow anyone to dilute your abilities, no matter how far up the ‘food chain’ they are. THE BIG BAD WOLF doesn't know all your potential and they don’t want to know. 

• Fact Check 2: You know who you are and what you’re capable of regardless of how you’re treated and being overlooked. Keep being that smart, ambitious, fearless ‘go-getter’. Sooner than later, you will get noticed and be appreciated, and you will be handsomely rewarded.

Unlike the creature you may face every day, you don’t have to pretend or  deceive. You know your stuff so allow your gifts and talents to SHINE through. 

                                  By the way, he didn’t have a happy ending, did he?

Until the next confession

Be Your Best Always

Amy