So I’ve decided to change Thursdays to “do something nice for someone else”, which is pretty much what I’m doing anyways. It’s just easier to fit things into a category like that, and it makes this project just slightly less selfish and narcissistic. And before I start this post, I just want to suggest that everyone go out and buy the “Nothing Personal” album from All Time Low. It’s amazing.
But back on topic. Yesterday, I got in a small dispute with someone. I’m not going to go into details, because this isn’t a gossip blog and the exact situation isn’t important. The important thing is that I did something nice for someone else while learning a lesson.
For as long as I’ve been coherent enough to realize that few people took things as seriously as I did, my parents have been telling me the same thing. “Pick your battles. You can lose a battle here and there and still win the war.” But I didn’t like this advice. Why couldn’t I win all the battles and the war? The first time they started telling me this more often was when I was in 8th grade and I got the main editor job for the yearbook. This was probably the worst decision my teacher ever made.
I think maybe three or four people out of the twenty on staff left that class even remotely tolerating me. I was strict. They called me the “Yearbook Nazi”. This kind of got to me, but I had to overlook it. My job was to make a quality product, and if someone slacked, I’d get a bit testy. If someone didn’t design their page or get pictures in on time, I’d get annoyed, and then I’d remind them again, and then they’d get annoyed. I ended up getting three boys kicked off the staff because they didn’t do anything. You can imagine how well that went over.
The moral of this story is that I have very high standards, and if I’m in a position of power in an organization and I have people to manage and edit, I’m going to manage and edit, gosh dangit. The situation is much the same now. I am in a position of power and have been accused of being “too harsh”. (*Frustration sounds*)
So today, I had an opportunity. In my anger over these false and overblown accusations, I could have stopped doing my job. I could have let anything slide and “proved my point” to my accusers. I could have been petty and prideful, but I decided against it. Today, I picked my battles, and chose to lose this one. I got back to work, working to be visibly less “harsh” and toning back my perfectionism.
So what did I do for someone today? I let someone else win a battle for once.
Gosh. I become more and more like Hermione Granger every day. Poofier hair, bossier attitude, and a more intense approach to schoolwork.
I can understand the frustration of being accused of being “too harsh” especially when you are only trying to help your group succeed. I think that the best thing to do is let someone else win the battle like you said or you can always make them think they are winning when they are actually losing. Sorry if I do not make alot of since in that last statement.
Thanks, Matt! You made total sense, I get your meaning. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels like this!
being Hermione Granger isn’t a bad thing, she is one amazing person, but she is missing one thing, she isn’t you. you are one of the coolest people on this planet, thanks for letting me get to know you!
Thanks, Ben! Of course being Hermione isn’t bad, she’s always been my favorite character, but it definitely doesn’t make you very popular with a lot of people. Basically, I’m too intense. But thank you again.