Awareness Isn’t Enough

It’s one thing to not know. To move through life blissfully unaware that your quirks, habits, or missed expectations are stepping on someone else’s toes.

But it’s a whole other circus when you do know—and still do nothing.

You say, “Sorry I’m always late to meetings,” with a shrug and a smile, like confession is the same as redemption. Spoiler: it’s not. Acknowledgment without action is just polished apathy.

If you know you’re late, be early.

If you know you interrupt, listen longer.

If you know you make others pick up your slack, lighten their load instead of complimenting their strength.

Awareness is the first rung on the ladder. Don’t just cling to it and dangle. Climb.

One trick to shift the gears: Once you catch yourself acknowledging a pattern, assign a cost to it.

What’s your chronic lateness costing the team’s momentum? What’s your sarcasm costing someone’s confidence?

Turn “sorry” into “I’ve changed this because I know it matters.”

That’s how you go from being self-aware to self-respecting.

Stay Positive & I Suppose It’s How You Go From Tolerable To Trusted, Too

Garth Beyer

Share A Response