Opposition.
No matter who you are or what you do, opposition will find it’s way into your path.
The question is how do you respond to it?
Lately I have been handed more than a few servings of opposition. I have dealt with a fair share of negative criticism, discouraging people and conflict recently. The general tone of my life over the last few weeks has escalated from comfortable and normal to stressed and flustered.
I keep asking myself if I am responding the right way?
Something inside me tells me that I have not been acting or thinking in the direction that I should be. Despite my flaws here are a few things I am trying to practice when it comes to opposition:
1. It is not about me. Call me old fashioned or conservative but I want to believe that people don’t attack people but rather opposition is to the idea or concept. I am trying to remind myself that the clashing has little to do with me as a person but more to do with the ideas I am bringing.
2. Bleed up. When things don’t go my way I have tendency to bleed, no wait, hemorrhage. I will bleed about everything to anyone who will pay attention. It is easy to let my tongue get out of control and start a verbal wildfire I will never be able to contain. I am trying to remind myself to vent my frustrations to the appropriate people and let the rest die right where it started.
3. Chin up, Nose Down. Opposition is what sharpens our ideas to shave off the excess and create the best solutions possible. I am trying to keep my head up but at the same time putting my nose down and pressing on to find the best solution regardless of time frames and discouraging moments.
4. Leave it at the door. I will admit that I suck at this one the most. Everyday I have a 30 minute commute to get to and from work. I try to use that time to detox and de-stress from the day. When I walk through the door I try to be the family man and husband that my wife and family needs. It doesn’t always work, in fact most days it doesn’t work at all. I am a passionate person and I care tremendously about the work I do, so when things are hard or not going the way I think that they should I tend to carry my emotions and frustrations around with me.
I am stronger at number three than any of the other things on this list, but I am trying. How about you? What do you do when you face opposition to your ideas?
