We are comical when we get so wrapped up in what we are doing, what we need to accomplish, or the task at hand.  We expect things to be a certain way and get bent out of shape when things don’t go that way. You can see it not only at work but on the road. Someone makes a mistake, forgets to look over their should and swerves into another lane.  Well, the person they almost hit starts blaring the horn and flips off the person like it’s the end of the world just because they had a little fright. I’ve been struggling with a flare up of some back pain and have to occasionally lay down in my office to rest my back so I may continue working.  I’m not one to advertise my situation so I put my feet under my desk and lay down so people don’t see me on the floor if they come to my office door.  One time, someone stopped outside my door and said, “Really!” as if he expected me to be there for him and when I wasn’t he was upset.  After about 30 seconds of standing there mumbling under his breath the guy went away.  I was left with a profound sense of irony.   I wanted to laugh and tell him, “Dude, you are not the center of the universe.”

No matter what happens to us or what situation we are in, it’s imperative to remember we are not the center of things.  Life happens with or without us around.  We live in a constant state of delusion thinking about things in terms of “I” and “me.”  Don’t get me wrong, a healthy ego is essential to a successful life not matter how you define that success.  However, a healthy sense of humility is also important.  Our way is not the only way.  Our driving isn’t the only way to drive.  Our way of dealing with others is not the only way. We fundamentally don’t know how others approach life or how they think.  Even if we’ve known someone for 20 or 30 years, we simply do not know one iota of their experience of the world.  It’s arrogant and delusional to think we do.

Accepting we are not the center of the universe and the uncertainty about how others experience the world is the first step towards building better relationships.  We create our relationships and cultures with every interaction.  This is true at work, in our social lives, playing road warrior driving home, or in our personal relationships.   We are humans.  We are fallible and make mistakes.  We are all in this together.  This acceptance is a cornerstone of managing the biz of you without which we are selfish and at the whims of those who manipulate our narrow experience of life.  So for the sake of managing the biz of you, “Get over yourself.”

I apologize for any typos, punctuation or grammar errors.
Feel free to comment and let me know of my errors so I may correct them and better my biz.