Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea

I’m pissing some people off. I mean, really making some people banging on their keyboards mad.

Not intentionally. Or rather, I don’t do what I do with the desire to make others mad.

But, wow, do some people have some anger issues. And others, are really invested in seeing someone fail.

My first reaction when I read these messages is to get mad, and then when that subsides, I try to figure out what I perhaps did wrong and why they are so upset.

I’d much rather that it didn’t bother me. The stoic side of me says not to give it a whole lot of thought. After apologizing, if I did something wrong, and acknowledging how they feel, there isn’t that much to do. If I have a pattern and it points to an area that I need to make adjustments, I surely will.

Then when I think about it some more I do actually smile.

It probably means that I’m doing something right.

I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. I know and have been told on numerous occasions that I’m a bit too much. Which is probably just the right amount of too much. There is no way that everyone is going to like me. Something as a leader I’ve known from experience for most of my career. There is no way to make everyone happy or to have everyone like you.

Having everyone like you is reserved for some truly remarkable people, who have a special gift. Mr. Rogers and Tom Hanks. But it is a small club. Or it could possibly  be because we love some from afar and never really know more than their public image.

Regardless, I’ve known this for a long time and yet, it is so easy to forget when we are thinking about our virtual world online.

If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing.

Margaret Thatcher

I’m more interested in making a positive impact than I am in people liking me. That just isn’t my mission. Sure, I love when people get something out of what I do. When I can add value to another person, help them with an ah-ha moment, or to come up with a new idea or way of looking at things…wow do I love that. But worrying about people liking me is a sure way to do one thing while forsaking my real mission.

I will continue to be thought provoking. To share more and more of who I am. I’ll make mistakes along the way. I’ll learn and correct. Try my best not to intentionally upset others for no reason.

I’m happy to make friends, but I have no interest in worrying about those who are cruising through life looking to be offended, looking for reason to be upset. You know who you are, so just keep walking.

People get addicted to feeling offended all the time because it gives them a high; being self-righteous and morally superior feels good.”

― Mark Manson

I’ll keep on being civil and polite, but I also won’t be deterred from my mission of growing as a person and helping others grow, finding a different way to look at things and providing tools to help them meet their goals.

Here’s to pissing people off.

It wasn’t the first, it certainly won’t be the last.

I sincerely wish them the best and feel bad that they live in a land of such unhappiness that they have to strike out at others.

Thanks so much for your continued support. I love connections so please ask a question or just say hello. Share this and send with a friend.

If you or someone you know is working on personal growth and building  competencies check out the below articles on politeness, being assertive, and building rapport.

Politeness : A Touch More Civility Goes A Long Way

Stand Up for Yourself Without Stepping On Anyone By Being Assertive

Sincere Connections Through Building Rapport

Thanks and have a wonderful day!