When the Best Thing to Say is Nothing

 

Not every thought that flits through our heads needs to be expressed. We don’t always need to be right. We don’t always need to point out others’ errors. Why? We can instead assess what purpose it would serve to mention someone else’s error.

Recently I was corresponding with someone and asking why an action had been delayed. It turned out to be a discrepancy, seemingly between an instruction that had been given to me and how I had carried out that instruction. When I went back to confirm the details, I saw I had followed the instructions exactly as provided.

My inclination was to respond that I had, in fact, taken the right steps. And then I paused for a moment and realized it would serve no purpose. I didn’t need to go on record stating that I had done what was asked. Instead, I thanked the person, considered the matter closed, and moved in. This preserved the relationship, which was more important than saying I was right.

What is better left unsaid today?

 

Machines Need Rest Too. Who Knew?

“What do you do with your laptop?” was an initial question when I took my three-year-old laptop in for a repair.

Some keys were sticking. Others were responding erratically. A handful of keys had the name of the letter worn off.

The conversation led into long work hours of extensive laptop use, and not consistently shutting it down about once a week.

My main takeaway? Even though they aren’t human, machines need rest too. Who knew?

And giving a laptop a rest means a human gets to rest too.

It’s a great time to shut down your laptop. Let the machine rest. And get some rest yourself too.

 

 

 

 

What’s Your Inner Dialogue?

Do you ever reflect on how you speak to yourself? Are you as kind and caring to yourself as you would be to dear friend? Or are you more harsh and critical? Our inner dialogue is central to how we move through the world. Instead of beating ourselves up over every perceived flaw or misstep, we can acknowledge in each situation what went well and what we would improve the next time. Try it for a week. As a result, how do you feel and how do you show up in the world?

 

 

Give Yourself Time

Starting a business, growing a career, nurturing a family – they all take time. Sometimes we don’t give ourselves enough time. We expect overnight success. And why wouldn’t we? That’s what so often appears on news and social media feeds. Everyone else seems to achieve instant success. But what we don’t see are the days, weeks, months, and years of slow, steady work that adds up to success over a longer arc of time. As I reflect on the first three years since launching my business, The Carrelle Company, the momentum is now more evident and growing. My question for you: what step will you take today to make your dream a reality?

 

What is the Unfilled Need Behind Your Desire to Work So Hard?

James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits posed this question to listeners recently as a guest on Brene Brown’s podcast: what is the unfilled need behind your desire to work so hard?

This powerful question made me pull (swerve) my car to the side of the road when I heard it, so I could write the question down.

It’s one I’ve been pondering for myself. And no doubt I’ll be asking it of some of my coaching clients.

I’m now clear(er) on the answer for me.

How about for you? What’s your answer?