Is feedback a gift?

“There is no failure. Only feedback.” – Robert Allen

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I am writing this article based on my own opinion and also as a reminder to myself, the next time I visit and read this article again.

In my life’s journey, I have come across a lot of feedback, I would prefer to cherish the positive ones and learn from the “not so positive ones”.

When we are the person who is giving the “constructive” feedback (and at times it sounded more like criticism), we tend to believe that we are doing something good and helping the person that we are giving the feedback to… and in our minds, we thought that the feedback is a gift to the recipient.

In my humble opinion, it depends on the the following:

  • how is our trust and relationship with the person?
  • how much does the person like us?
  • what is the level of respect from this person to us?
  • when are we giving the feedback? timing is everything!
  • how are we presenting the feedback to the person?
  • what is our level of expertise to provide the feedback?
  • what is the context of giving the feedback?

There is never one factor when taking action or giving feedback. The situation is normally more complicated then we think.

No matter how noble we think we are giving the feedback to the other person, he or she may not think otherwise…

“Strive for continuous improvement, instead of perfection.” – Kim Collins

I have received a lot of feedback to date and just the other day, when I was doing a project for a client, not sure what got into me… I was really affected by the feedback from one of my business partners (not that the feedback was really bad or serious)… I believe I got triggered NOT by the WHAT but by the HOW the feedback was delivered.

Can you imagine, how much effort and hard work I have put into this project and to wait for the day to run the session? And how difficult it was to run the session with high expectations and pressure to deliver?

Then suddenly, a message stating that the person is not happy with one thing… how about all the other good things and effort put in?

Then the experience had made me realised that, feedback is only a gift when the other person is ready to receive it… this is one of the surprise that the recipient is not looking forward to get!

accept feedback - Sarcastic Nicholas Cage | Make a Meme

There is no perfect situation to provide feedback… ultimately, it boils down to the trust and relationship of the person with us. Even giving feedback to our loved ones, we will need to ensure they are in the right state of mind (mood) to hear what we have to say… Not forgetting to communicate with them our intention of providing the feedback, based on some facts and not just feelings.

No one is perfect and free of mistakes, we are all works in progress. At least for me, there is a need to work harder and strive for excellence.

“Knowledge rests not upon truth alone, but upon error also.” – Carl Jung

All the very best to you and enjoy life’s journey.

“Your habits, your future!”

Earlier quotes sharing part 1

Hi there! I would like to share the compilation of my earlier quotes that I created for other social media. Just want to put into one place for keep sake. Enjoy the quotes and feel free to use them (just need to acknowledge the author, if it is not my original quote… as for my quote… use it freely!)

Here we go…

Stay tuned for more quotes in the coming weeks!

Let me know your thoughts and if you have any good quotes or references to share. Looking forward to hearing from you.

“Your habits, your future!”

The Little Things We Do

“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.” ~ John Wooden

Lately I have been thinking, how did the people who are successful achieve what they are achieving? How did they manage to get to where they want to be? How do they sustain what they are doing, day to day basis?

I observed and then I reflected… as there are many ways to achieve results, one of the main possibilities could be the little things that we do (on a daily basis).

“Consistency over intensity…” 

As long as we keep doing and going, I believe we will be able to get the results that we have set for. A lot of people want to achieve more in less time, realistically that is not sustainable. It takes a lot of discipline and consistent effort to be achieving the results and maintaining the momentum.

“If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right.” ~ William H. McRaven

 

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To tell you the truth, I do dream of big things, leaving a legacy in this world, achieving financial independence, running successful global companies, wanting to be the most important person to a lot of people and the list goes on and on.

Then one day when I was travelling for work, while on the plane (after the plane has taken off and at a cruising altitude)… I looked out the window (as I did not get the aisle seat that I preferred) and suddenly I realised that I am just a tiny little person in this world (what about the universe?). Anyway, I took it as an inspiration for me to work towards my vision and mission for as long as I can. I know for sure that if I keep moving, ultimately I will reach the destination that I want to.

I will keep on contributing to this world, people around me as much as I can… doing my part.

“The little things amount to big things.” ~ Robin S. Sharma

While taking this journey, I might as well enjoy it to the fullest… focusing on the little things.

“I think it’s important to find the little things in everyday life that make you happy.” ~ Paula Cole

Here are some “little things” we can do on a daily basis:

  1. Health – how about some stretching, short walk, jog or run, meditation, yoga, little movement to keep our body and mind healthy;
  2. Well-being / Attitude – smile, be yourself original self, positive thoughts, observations, awareness, reflection, visualisation, short breaks, anything to keep ourself energised, happy and fulfilled;
  3. Activities – planning, list of things to do, what is the focus for the day? research to add value to self, slow down (if need to), encouragement, appreciation, compliments, communication with others to make it a memorable day;
  4. Financial – savings for the rainy day, donation for charity, ways to give back, treat yourself, family members, money for health, holiday, education… I believe with some money, we have options;
  5. Practice Gratitude – allocate some time for gratitude, giving thanks, be grateful (especially when we are able to get up in the morning), the joy of existence and doing something great, how about drinking your favourite drink (coffee, tea, chocolate)?

“True greatness consists in being great in little things.” ~ Charles Simmons

I would like to share an interesting site about the little things. The link is as below:

http://stories.marriott.com/its-the-little-things/ 

Please share with me your thoughts and the little things you are doing throughout your journey to success.

Have a great journey folks!

 

“Your habits, your future!”

 

Making decisions…

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“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.”  – Tony Robbins

A lot of us, myself included… tend to wait for the right moment to make decision – the right decision… is there really a right decision?

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What I have learnt from some of the audio books, we have to just make the decision and manage the decision we have made… fine-tuning it along the way – to make it a good and sound decision (at the time we made that decision with the resources that we have). We have to learn to be resourceful and have the grit (persistence) to pursue what we have decided upon (as long as we can).

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela

At times we have the fear to make the wrong decision… well, if we do not make that decision, will you be able to know whether you are able to achieve it?

Some recommendations I have in mind…

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  1. Use the Benjamin Franklin method (a good article to read: https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/how-to-make-a-decision-like-ben-franklin/)
  2. Discuss with the people that you trust (to bounce off some ideas) and you will have to make the decision, anyhow.
  3. This is the time when you know, having a mentor and / or a coach helps (let me know if you need any help, i will be more than willing – if both our schedules permit).
  4. Do your research, write down the possible outcomes (depending on the goal that you have set), “sleep on it” for a few days and refer to item #2 or #3.
  5. Just Do It… NOW! (If you do not, will you regret it… at a later stage in life?)

In my humble opinion, it is not how you start, it is the journey of learning, to keep going and persist until you finish what you have started.

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So what… if you made a mistake? Evaluate the experience and move on…

I am sure there are a lot of good reading materials you can get pertaining to making decisions. You can read as much as you can or want… ultimately, you have to make that decision to either start or not.

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Opportunity does not come to you… You have to SEIZE IT!

Let me share some quotes that I like on making decisions:

  1. “A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion.” – Grantland Rice
  2. “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” – Roy E. Disney
  3. “I made decisions that I regret, and I took them as learning experiences… I’m human, not perfect, like anybody else.” – Queen Latifah
  4. “Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.” – Keri Russell
  5. “Our daily decisions and habits have a huge impact upon both our levels of happiness and success.” – Shawn Achor

I look forward to your success and please share your story / journey with me.

 

“Change your habits, change your world!”

“Your habits, your future!”