Often we create “rules” within our heads for ourselves and expect others to live by them too…and we’re frustrated when friends, co-workers and family members may be less than receptive to our suggestions. We like “our model” and can’t understand why someone else wouldn’t like it too.
Try Asking Yourself These Three Questions:
- Am I too much of a perfectionist?
- Do I try too hard?
- Am I impatient with others?
If you answered, “yes” to any of the above, then your habits and ways of doing things may be causing problems for you with people in your life…and you may not even be aware of it.
As perfectionists we often get frustrated if we don’t get things right and…we definitely don’t like to be wrong. We don’t understand why other people don’t “get it” and how they can accept a mediocre solution or answer. Sometimes we do this without even realizing that we are “perfectionists.”
Then there are some of us that try too hard…all the time. Maybe it’s because we have to live up to someone else’s standards or live up to the impossible standards we have set for ourselves. We work all the time and feel guilty about taking time off…and we don’t really know why we feel this way.
Many of us don’t have much patience either - we don’t like to waste time and we’re always in a hurry. Taking things slowly and just “going with the flow” almost drives us crazy. We don’t think we’re impatient…we think we are being “efficient.”
So why do we feel this way sometimes? You may have to go inside to find the answer…and talk to your “self.” Not everything above may apply to you but perhaps one thing on this list did hit home. Just go inside and reflect on these questions and then look honestly at your interactive behavior with others.
Sometimes asking ourselves questions like these in a way that is not critical or judgmental allows us to discover things that we may wish to change or transform.
Remember…it’s just you talking to your inner self and no one else is listening…so be truthful and make the most of this precious time…begin to communicate internally like this with your “self” on a regular basis. You may be surprised at what you discover!
Good luck!
Lillian