You Can Do Better

A guest post from my good friend Frank Sonnenberg

Did you ever complete something and get sent back to the drawing board? You thought you were finished, but someone thought you could do better. Maybe they found an error, saw something missing, or thought you didn’t do your best. In any case, it’s frustrating. Right? The fact remains — in most cases, the final product turns out better than the original. So, even though it’s hard to acknowledge, they did you a favor.?

Why do other folks give you a pass? (They say you did a good job, even though they know better.) Some people want to be liked, and they’re afraid you might snap at them. Others are tight-lipped out of convenience. They know your work is flawed, but it’s easier to say, “Well done” than to be the bearer of bad news. And still others have lowered the bar for so long they can’t recognize the difference between good and bad. Ouch!?

People aren’t doing you a favor by giving you a passing score if it’s not deserved. Instead of working hard to raise your game, you’ll be lulled into thinking you’re making the grade. Moreover, if enough people shield you from reality, you’ll be living a lie — and forced to face the consequences down the road.

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It’s for Your Own Good?

It’s not a weakness to have shortcomings. The true failing comes from having a lousy attitude — evading feedback, discarding suggestions out-of-hand, or thinking that you know it all because you let your ego get in the way. You should always want to do your best and to be your best. If other people are signaling that they want to help you, don’t turn them away. Listen attentively and thoughtfully, consider implementing their suggestions, and then apply that lesson the next time you’re faced with a similar situation. Moreover, when you do your best in one area, you’re more likely to adopt that approach in other areas.?

Don’t submit unfinished work as complete.?

In addition, you may be signaling that you don’t want feedback. As far as you’re concerned, you’re finished and want to move on. If you don’t know your shortcomings, you’ll repeat mistakes over and over. Furthermore, you may start settling for less than your best. While you can’t see mediocre work, I assure you others can. Next time you’re passed over for a promotion or fail to get a raise, you’ll know why.?

Feedback is a gift that keeps on giving.?

Autograph Your Work with Pride?

You may think that folks who send you back to the drawing board are critical or mean-spirited. What gives them the right to judge your work? The truth is, they have your best interest at heart. They’re the ones with the courage, honesty, and compassion to tell you like it is. It would be a lot easier for them to relax their standards and give you a pass.?

One day, you’ll look back and thank all the folks who pushed you beyond your limits. Although you didn’t see it at the time, they did you a huge favor. They took the time and made the effort to make the investment in you. They helped bring out the best in you and make you who you are today. So rather than mumble under your breath the next time someone says you can do better, send them a note of appreciation and thank them for caring. The truth is, they went out of their way for you. The least you can do is go out of your way for them.?

Please visit my site at?https://johnspence.com/contact/?if you want to get in contact with me. I’d love to hear from you.

Check out Frank’s latest book, The Path to a Meaningful Life.?

Frank Sonnenberg is an award-winning author and a well-known advocate for moral character, personal values, and personal responsibility. He has written nine books and has been named one of “America's Top 100 Thought Leaders” and one of “America’s Most Influential Small Business Experts.” Frank has served on several boards and has consulted to some of the largest and most respected companies in the world. Frank’s latest book, The Path to a Meaningful Life, was released June 2022.

Additionally, his blog — FrankSonnenbergOnline — has attracted millions of readers on the Internet. It was recently named one of the “Top Self-Improvement and Personal Development Blogs” in the world, and it continues to be named among the “Best 21st Century Leadership Blogs,” the “Top 100 Socially-Shared Leadership Blogs,” and the “Best Inspirational Blogs On the Planet.”?

? 2023 Frank Sonnenberg. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from FrankSonnenbergOnline.com is strictly prohibited.