A day off to celebrate an occasion turned into one of concern as we slowly approached the crime scene. There were business lessons to learn on several levels.
It was my turn to celebrate a special day off. My choice was to visit the Native American museum in D.C. I found the experience to be highly inspirational and enjoyable.
A smile came over me as I saw a sign mentioning Quechua, the language of the Incas. One of my first business meetings took place in San Francisco. There, I met a woman who was born in Peru. Anna was taken by complete surprise as I recalled a sentence in Quechua that was learned in college. We quickly considered ourselves as friends, and she generously provided me with excellent business referrals.
The next stop was to enjoy a light meal at a restaurant before enjoying a free concert at the Kennedy Center.
Upon hearing the location of the eatery, my suggestion was to try it another time because we would be in a time crunch. The idea wasn’t up for discussion. So we took the Metro to another section of town. As several stops were made and passed, I became less comfortable on the train. While finally walking two blocks toward the establishment, my comfort further declined.
By the time we reached our destination, the intersection looked like a Television drama. Police cars and ambulances covered the street, the road was blocked, and yellow tape was drawn across the intersection and both sidewalks. The restaurant was notably closed. On our way back to the Metro, we met someone who had inside-knowledge of the event and said, ‘it was bad!’
So much for the dinner celebration. Due to the expected time crunch, we only had time to get a mediocre piece of pizza to get to the concert in time. Although initially not happy, looking back, it will be one my most memorable experiences!
Private life mirrors dealing with varying clients. Do you make it a habit to practice listening to those close to you and negotiating a better outcome? Most people don’t think to do this, and then arguments pursue.
It’s best to take a deep breath and consider the following on issues of a personal nature, interviewing for the next job, or meeting with clients:
We all get tired of giving in and certainly do not wish to do it 100% of the time. On the other hand, it’s good to take time to consider the possibilities from all angles before erroneously coming to a conclusion. It also diminishes the arguments that typically take place.
Other questions to consider are:
It’s reasonable to believe everyone is guilty on some level. When it comes to business, it’s a crime not to be willing to change habits, because if we don’t, we kill our endeavors. Don’t let yellow tape mark your entrepreneurship or career as deceased. Instead, be the hero who saves the day.
Related: Where Are You On the Confidence Meter?