| Do you know that people with the "I am right and | | | | other hand ... merely considering the other person |
| you are wrong" attitude are generally abrasive and | | | | may be right, is an illuminating experience. New |
| annoying to be around? If it sounds like you, try | | | | possibilities open up. Try these four exercises and |
| letting yourself be wrong for a week and see how | | | | watch the dramatic change in your life. |
| differently people treat you. They will seek you out | | | | 1. "Maybe you are right" - When someone states an |
| instead of avoid you, they will laugh with you instead | | | | opinion different to yours, say, "Maybe you are right." |
| of pulling faces behind your back. Sure, you | | | | You are validating what they have said, you have |
| sometimes need the courage of your convictions to | | | | shown yourself to be a person open to new and |
| bulldoze your point of view across. But if that is your | | | | different ideas, you have opened up lines of |
| default mode, you are losing out big time. | | | | communication, without actually admitting you are |
| The secret of success | | | | wrong. |
| It is satisfying to always be right -- you get to feel | | | | 2. Enjoy learning - Relish the opportunity to learn new |
| superior, you stay the way you are, and you feel | | | | things. When you come across something new, say |
| comfortable with the status quo. But is it working for | | | | to the people revealing this, and to yourself, "Wow, |
| you? Consider for a moment when you are proved | | | | this is so exciting, I have learned something new." |
| wrong. What happens? You learn something new, | | | | 3. Pretend - If someone states an opinion very |
| you are one step closer to success and you begin | | | | different to yours, for a moment pretend you are |
| evolving into a better person. | | | | them, and ask yourself, "What makes him think the |
| How being right can be bad for you If you feel | | | | way he does?" It may give you an entirely new |
| others are clueless, you will ignore them. Important | | | | perspective, one worth investigating. |
| relationships will deteriorate, co-workers will dislike | | | | 4. Ask for criticism - Inviting criticism when you are |
| you and sabotage your work any opportunity they | | | | used to being the 'know it all' may be completely alien |
| can. Imagine how not listening to your scuba-diving | | | | to you. Try this five times a day, "Would you please |
| instructor could affect your health. If you always | | | | tell me where I am going wrong?" These four steps |
| have to be right, you will have few friends, little | | | | are guaranteed to transform your life in the best |
| money, and even your health may suffer. On the | | | | possible way. |