How do these words make you feel? Avoid, dodge, evade, escape, and sidestep. If these words bring you anxiety or remind you of a scenario you are in now you may not realize the effects this issue is having on you or your work.
These words are actions we take when we do not want to face an issue, a person, or certain problem areas. What makes us do this? Our own insecurity, not knowing an answer, or the realization that we have done something wrong. Chances are, avoiding this scenario is robbing us of driving towards better outcomes in other areas. How does one overcome these feelings and move ahead?
1.Just face it and get it over with.
2.Apologize first while facing it.
3.Slow yourself down and take time for good thought work then face it.
4.Create an improvement plan or solutions on your own and then face it.
5.Tell the truth about how nervous this scenario makes you (even with the individual) and face it.
When we have faced something that has brought us anxiety we feel relieved, accomplished, and even proud of ourselves. If the issue is large, we may spend time telling others about our accomplishment of facing the issue. The fact is, the longer we delay facing an issue the larger it is in our world. When this happens we are less productive in the areas we are working in until we face the issue. Do you hear what is happening when we delay facing an issue? We are anxious and less productive until we face the issue and then we spend time telling others and dancing in the hallways about it because we are so relieved. So, how much time have we taken on this issue? How many other areas have been put on hold until this was handled? Be more productive, face the issues!
To learn more about facing high stakes issues productively, contact FutureSYNC International at (406) 254-2326.