Being A Yes Person

I think there are two kinds of people in the world, with an elusive third possibility that I’m not sure anyone ever completely does to perfection.

There are yes people, and there are no people. The third possibility is that the perfect-balance-of-yes-and-no person exists, but I have yet to meet them, or be one!

I fall into the “yes” category. Ask me to do something for you or invite me somewhere, and I will say yes. The only time I will say no is if I genuinely have other plans already. It is in my nature to help others out where I can, and while I don’t intentionally do it thinking “they’ll owe me one” I do hope that if one day I need a favour, the gesture will be returned.

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Then there are people out there who can’t see past the end of their own noses and so when they are asked a favour, they say no. The funny (strange not ha ha) thing is that these people sometimes require favours themselves. They ask of other people while they’re not willing to give of themselves. These are the kinds of people I don’t understand.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this, because I asked something of someone at work and didn’t get the response I expected. I feel like when you work in a small work environment, you all do what you can to help each other out. As long as no one is abusing that system, it typically works well. My boss is typically great for this, she helps me when when I need it (and she can) and I help her when she needs it (and I can). It has to be that way in a small work place.

So when someone is unwilling to be flexible or helpful, it makes you think twice the next time they need a favour. Even if you are a “yes” person and will most likely still say yes.

Are you a yes or a no person? Or are you that elusive third option? 

Joining Grace for Flog Yo Blog Friday!

Born To Do It

While I was sitting staring at a blank screen with a blank mind trying to figure out what to blog about, I jumped on news.com.au. It’s just a habit I have, like opening Google Chrome and clicking on the “Facebook” favourite icon even though I went online to look up a recipe. Anyway, I went to the news site, and after scoffing about everything they consider “news” (It’s 4 years since Tiger Woods was caught cheating – who gives a fuck?! Move on!) I found an article I thought might help me.

“Three-step guide to figure out what you were born to do.” I thought this could solve all my problems give me some direction. I know the job I do now, the real one that helps pays the bills, is something I can do, it’s something I am ok at, but I also know that it is not what I was born to do.

Ironically, one of the older gentlemen I work with said to me yesterday, “I never did anything I really wanted to.” There was so much regret in his voice. He talked about how he would love to be a travel photographer, traveling the world doing landscape photography and shooting wildlife (with the camera, not a rifle). It got me thinking about me, 25 years from now. Would I still be in this same job? Would I be saying I never did anything I really wanted to do?

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This three-step guide seems pretty basic. Step 1, figure out what you love doing. Not just what you’re GOOD at doing, but what you LOVE doing. Then, step 2, write a list of things you HATE doing. I guess we’re going through a process of elimination here. Step 3 is to ask yourself a series of questions.

1. Even if you didn’t get paid a cent for it, would you still do this?

2. Would doing this inspire you ever day?

3. Does this come as naturally to you as breathing?

4. Do you feel you’ve been given a special gift to do this?

5. Does time seem to fly by when you’re engaged in this activity?

6. Can you possibly make money doing this?

-News.com.au

If you can find an activity in which you answer yes to all of these questions…then baby you were born to do it!

Realistically speaking, I’m not sure how people in their 30s or 40s are going to be able to walk away from what they are doing, that pays the bills and puts food on the table, to pursue these dreams. But the lesson I learned yesterday is that you have to try and find a way to.

There are two things that came to mind for me, going through this process. The first is photography. The second was a subject I took a class in while doing my graduate certificate in business. Again, ironically, I’ve recently looked into applying for my masters degree in this subject. I feel like next year could be a transitional  year for me. Hopefully into something bigger and better that means I don’t have to wake up every day and ask, “Is this REALLY what I’m doing with my life?”

What are you doing with your life? Do you feel like it’s what you were born to do? 

Linking up with Jess for IBOT!

A to Z of Me: Part III

M is for Mum. This may not seem like much of a descriptive word. And I think as mums we spend so much time trying to identify ourselves as anything BUT a mum or at least “more than just” a mum, but I think it would be remiss to make M stand for anything else. Because if you ask me what my most favourite role, my most favourite gig I’ve ever had, is, it is without a doubt, being a mum. There is no feeling like it.

N is for Natural. I mean this in a few senses of the word. I rarely wear makeup, I often have hairy legs (but not armpits!), and I (think) I act naturally around people. I also love to get out and about amongst nature.

O is for Opinionated. Yes, I am opinionated, but I like to think that I don’t push my opinions on other people (unless they ask, then it’s game on!), and I like to think I share them in a respectful way. If you ask me about a topic, I’ll have an opinion on it. Sometimes more than one! Give it a shoot in the comments section!

P is for Peaceful. Ok, maybe this one is a stretch. But I kept coming up with things like “party animal” (I’m not), pleasant (boring), persistent (which is a nice way of saying “pest”)…and I thought you know what, peaceful is the most appropriate. I like peace. Especially peace and quiet. But also world peace, peaceful living, peaceful hearts. I think peaceful is a great all-round word.

Q is for Quick*.

R is for Resilient. The last few  years have been a series of highs and lows, with some pretty severe lows. But instead of letting those lows beat me, I picked myself up, dusted myself off and channelled all my energy and frustration for good. We moved to the other side of the world, had a child, lost my dad, my uncle, a job, and 12 kilos (and counting). The thing about life is that no matter what, you just have to keep going, so you might as well keep going in style! There will be set backs, shit will happen, but great things will happen too, if you let them.

* Get it!? GET IT?!

Have you done an “A-Z of Me”? Post a link in the comments! I’d love to read!

Linking up of course, with Jess for I Blog On Tuesdays