I have issues. This is not something I try to hide or am remotely embarrassed about. I am nowhere close to perfect. We all have issues. Honestly, I handle my issues pretty damn well, and far better than many people. Self-esteem isn't one of them, never really has been. Ego isn't much of one. Notice I say "much." That's intentional, because I have realized I do have some ego.
I don't need credit for things often. Someone else's journey is certainly not anything I need ~ or want ~ to take credit for. Taking credit means I also have to be willing to take responsibility, and, potentially, blame. No thank you. If someone needs to learn something and they learn it from me, I'm flattered. But if I've been saying it for years and they are finally able to hear it from someone else, I'm just as good with that. It's not about me being the one who gets the message across.
Just recently, though, I've had the same thing occur several different times and have learned it makes me crazy. I have suggested something to someone and then, within a matter of hours, had that same someone tell me they were going to do what I had suggested, but say it in such a way that makes it sound as if I had never suggested it in the first place, but that it was solely their idea. Explain it to me ~ once, almost verbatim ~ and then wait for the praise that came with coming up with this great idea. But...but...It was just this afternoon! Believe me, I remember giving you this idea! You have thought of this because I told it to you!
And that's when I have to take a step back. That's when I have to remember that it is not about getting credit. It's not about being the source of the information. When I need to remember that, while this is not exactly the same thing, it is very close to not having ego around someone else's journey.
I am amused at myself. I am amazed at how very often it happens. And I am learning to shake my head and let it go. I'm nowhere close to perfect ~ especially on the shaking my head and letting it go, part ~ but I'm working on it. That's gotta count for something. Right?
Those are Pobble Thoughts. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.
2 comments:
Actually that is a skill to be acquired, and can be extremely useful in certain circumstances where it is important that the other "have that original idea". You already know what some of those are, and now that you know you have the skil you will be able to use it appropriately!
AppsRus ~ And interestingly enough, I am skilled at "letting people have the idea" on a professional level. Apparently, though, I still really suck at it on a personal level. No, I don't get it either. :)
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