One Suggestion to Many?

The Annoyance and Necessity of Suggestions in Life and Business: Tips for Hearing, Vetting, Filtering, and Implementing Suggestions

Do you ever get overwhelmed, even annoyed, by too many suggestions? The plethora and frequency can become background noise, and at times, a suggestion from one person might contradict the suggestion of another? Or conversely, perhaps you would like to make a suggestion, but don't know the right approach, an approach that your suggestion would be heard, and heard in the charitable spirit you intended.

In our daily lives and business endeavors, suggestions play a crucial role. They can either be a source of annoyance or a valuable tool for growth and improvement. Suggestions come from various sources, such as friends, family, colleagues, and customers. While they can sometimes be overwhelming, dismissing them outright would mean missing out on valuable insights and perspectives. In this article, I will explore the annoyance and necessity of suggestions and provide tips for hearing, vetting, filtering, and implementing them. Additionally, I'll discuss how to make thoughtful suggestions that people would be more likely to hear.

The Annoyance of Suggestions:

Suggestions can sometimes be annoying, particularly when they are unsolicited or overly critical. Constant bombardment of suggestions can feel overwhelming and may even lead to a sense of inadequacy. However, it's important to recognize that suggestions, when offered with good intentions, can provide valuable feedback and contribute to personal and professional growth.

The Necessity of Suggestions:

Despite the annoyance they may cause, suggestions are a necessary aspect of life and business. They bring fresh perspectives, highlight blind spots, and uncover opportunities for improvement. In business, customer feedback and suggestions are vital for understanding consumer needs and preferences, leading to enhanced products or services. Personal suggestions can help us become aware of our shortcomings and provide insights on how to overcome them. Embracing suggestions with an open mind is essential for progress.

Tips for Hearing, Vetting, Filtering, and Implementing Suggestions:

1. Maintain an Open Mind: Approach suggestions with an open mind, even if they initially seem unwarranted. Avoid becoming defensive and be willing to consider different viewpoints. This requires a spirit of humility.
2. Vetting the Source: Evaluate the credibility and expertise of the person offering the suggestion. Consider their experience, knowledge, and track record. This step helps determine the value of the suggestion and its potential impact.
3. Analyze the Merit: Assess the suggestion based on its merit and alignment with your goals and values. Look for insights that resonate with your objectives and consider the potential benefits of implementing the suggestion.
4. Seek Multiple Opinions: Gather a range of suggestions from various sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue at hand. This approach allows you to compare and contrast different perspectives, enabling you to make informed decisions.
5. Filter Constructively: Filter suggestions by focusing on the underlying message rather than getting caught up in the delivery. Look past any harshness or negativity and extract the essence of the suggestion.
6. Prioritize and Implement: Prioritize suggestions based on their potential impact and feasibility. Start with small, manageable changes and gradually incorporate more substantial ones. Implementing suggestions shows your willingness to grow and adapt.
7. Seek out Suggestions: Businesses have suggestion boxes, people take polls, and you too can have men or women in your life, who speak into your life. Be proactive, and if you have not received input in a while, perhaps it is time to go out and look for a suggestion.

Tips for Making Thoughtful Suggestions People Would Hear:

1. Be Respectful: Approach others with respect and empathy when offering suggestions. Consider their feelings and be mindful of the language and tone you use. Constructive criticism is more likely to be heard when delivered with kindness.
2. Suggestion Bombing: Don't bombard with one suggestion after another. This can be important for us parents. You might focus on major issues, and consider timing and spacing your suggestions or feedback so as not to be one on top of the other. Think about how much intake one can handle and act upon.
3. Focus on Solutions: Instead of merely pointing out problems, offer potential solutions along with your suggestions. This demonstrates that you've thought through the issue and are genuinely invested in finding resolutions. This can be particularly important if you are making suggestions up the line to your boss at work.
4. Provide Context: When offering suggestions, provide relevant context to help others understand your perspective. Explain why you believe your suggestion would be beneficial and how it aligns with their goals.
5. Be Specific and Actionable: Make your suggestions specific and actionable, providing clear steps or recommendations. Vague suggestions may confuse or overwhelm the recipient, diminishing their willingness to consider your ideas.
6. Timing is Key: Choose an appropriate time and place to offer suggestions. Make sure the person is open to feedback and ready to listen.
7. Power of the relationship: Suggestions always land better from a place of trust. But remember, especially if you are a spouse or family member, your suggestion might have elevated weight and could be viewed as a critique and taking harder than otherwise intended.
8. For a leader or boss, you might consider a mentoring approach, and make a gentle suggestion to an employee verses a command or directive. Use commands sparely.