three things
Not Derrer
What three things make my life work?
#1 Listen!
Listening is very important. The best way to listen is to look the person speaking directly in the eye. This implies that you’re paying attention. I find that throwing in the occasional half-nod or “hmmmmm” sound is helpful. This denotes careful consideration and contemplation. Sometimes I’ll freestyle a bit and throw in an “interesting…” or “you don’t say…”. Be Creative! Just remember that while you APPEAR to be listening- you’re really just trying to figure out the following: What does this man want from me? How can I use this to my advantage? Sometimes what a man wants may not me clear. In that case just assume he wants you to help him move.
#2 Always know your context!
A lot of men struggle with holding context. Now I haven’t done the BLT, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make one hell of a sandwich! Save yourself a weekend and read the following very carefully. I’ve figured out a full-proof way to always know exactly what to do no matter what your circumstances. Just picture your current situation in your mind’s eye. Now imagine that you are Errol Flynn from Michael Curtiz’s 1938 epic “The Adventures of Robin Hood”. What would Errol do? Everyone loves a hero. Give them what they want! So what is the heroic thing to do? Simple. 1) You need to give a rousing speech containing a lot of battle metaphors, 2) Prance around and look cool doing it. Don’t imitate Errol too much though, anti-semitic remarks & continuously scratching your junk does not come off well in some company. But how does this work in practice?
A Recent Example:
Boss: Why are you late again?
Mike: (staring off into space and stroking facial hair) Have you ever been to battle? Been in the shit?
BOSS: No and neither have you.
Mike: (leaping out of chair and putting one leg up on Boss’ desk) What do you call the Metro?
BOSS: You’re fired.
I didn’t like that job anyways. And that’s the point.
#3 Make Commitments!
If a man without commitments isn’t much of a man, it stands to reason that a man who takes all commitments is one hell of a man. I try and make at least five new commitments every day. You need me to run your blood drive? I’m there. Moving on Sunday? Count me in. Pregnant? Sign me up for lamaze class! This probably seems like a lot of work. That’s right- it seems like a lot of work. The truth is a man who takes all commitments doesn’t have to live up to any of them, AND you will be honored for being over-committed!! If you’re ever called out on this just throw up your hands and scream “I’m sorry for caring so much!”. How can anyone respond to that? Exactly.
#1 Listen!
Listening is very important. The best way to listen is to look the person speaking directly in the eye. This implies that you’re paying attention. I find that throwing in the occasional half-nod or “hmmmmm” sound is helpful. This denotes careful consideration and contemplation. Sometimes I’ll freestyle a bit and throw in an “interesting…” or “you don’t say…”. Be Creative! Just remember that while you APPEAR to be listening- you’re really just trying to figure out the following: What does this man want from me? How can I use this to my advantage? Sometimes what a man wants may not me clear. In that case just assume he wants you to help him move.
#2 Always know your context!
A lot of men struggle with holding context. Now I haven’t done the BLT, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make one hell of a sandwich! Save yourself a weekend and read the following very carefully. I’ve figured out a full-proof way to always know exactly what to do no matter what your circumstances. Just picture your current situation in your mind’s eye. Now imagine that you are Errol Flynn from Michael Curtiz’s 1938 epic “The Adventures of Robin Hood”. What would Errol do? Everyone loves a hero. Give them what they want! So what is the heroic thing to do? Simple. 1) You need to give a rousing speech containing a lot of battle metaphors, 2) Prance around and look cool doing it. Don’t imitate Errol too much though, anti-semitic remarks & continuously scratching your junk does not come off well in some company. But how does this work in practice?
A Recent Example:
Boss: Why are you late again?
Mike: (staring off into space and stroking facial hair) Have you ever been to battle? Been in the shit?
BOSS: No and neither have you.
Mike: (leaping out of chair and putting one leg up on Boss’ desk) What do you call the Metro?
BOSS: You’re fired.
I didn’t like that job anyways. And that’s the point.
#3 Make Commitments!
If a man without commitments isn’t much of a man, it stands to reason that a man who takes all commitments is one hell of a man. I try and make at least five new commitments every day. You need me to run your blood drive? I’m there. Moving on Sunday? Count me in. Pregnant? Sign me up for lamaze class! This probably seems like a lot of work. That’s right- it seems like a lot of work. The truth is a man who takes all commitments doesn’t have to live up to any of them, AND you will be honored for being over-committed!! If you’re ever called out on this just throw up your hands and scream “I’m sorry for caring so much!”. How can anyone respond to that? Exactly.
