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Oh, there must be a catch!

By Bamboo In The Wind

That little bit you can ask to prod and make someone think outside the box makes all the difference. You may not see it beyond your instinctive input, but it can do whole lot for someone who sees that coming. 

No matter our area of work, it boils down to templatizing our response. Make it structured, have points to say, an argument to make as it relates to the topic. Everything is planned and orchestrated to narrate the story that is the making of our first thought. But what if it does not resonate with the recipients? Then the assumption that our perspective about our work is relevant to others collapses.

The good news is that those who engage you have different goals. Some are eager to receive what you have. And then, few others are there to experience your offering and that of many others like you. 

The goal these people carry when they engage you is to tap into the energy in the room. They probe you, make you uncomfortable, ask difficult questions, and suggest ways to improve your work. All that, without you asking. You must see someone like that beyond feeling the discomfort of unsolicited meddling. 

This very frame of mind makes you miss the whole learning experience it brings on its back.

Be open to the discomforting lines of attack; they are healthy for your growth. Sustain the hurt that comes from it. And then, you see the merit in what you experienced.

The biggest fear is such input comes with a catch. What if there isn't!

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