This morning I made an apology to a Customer Service Rep I’d spoken to on the phone yesterday. Heck, I didn’t have to apologize to her. I was never going to see her again, but I needed to do this. My poor behavior was unacceptable and one of my core values is making amends.
IT WAS SO HARD TO DO, but I did it!
The result? She was so grateful. I felt tremendous relief, and I became a little bit more confident, more mentally tough and resilient.
I RARELY MAKE BIG DECLARATIONS LIKE THIS, but in today’s blog I share one of the most powerful strategies you can practice to not only change yourself, but to change the world.
If you want to become bolder, more confident, more mentally tough and resilient, then watch this 90 second video on making amends.
Apologizing is a practice that many people run away from. Why? Because it requires that we:
- Get humble, stop blaming others and look inside ourselves. Ick.
- Acknowledge that we were jerks, we were wrong, we hurt someone. More ick.
- Ugh.
“Gasp” you say. “I couldn’t do THAT. Please Laura…anything but making an apology.”
I believe you can. Ya just gotta get humble and start practicing it. (Start with making small amends like “Hey, I’m sorry I did not return your call in a timely manner”.)
The payoff is huge: Your confidence skyrockets, you feel grateful for having salvaged a relationship, a 1,000 lb. weight is lifted off your shoulders, and the other person respects you more.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Each amend is unique so the benefits you get will vary.
- Sometimes making an apology can be destructive if the other party is not receptive. Before doing so it’s best to evaluate the apology with an objective third party like a therapist, coach or trusted friend first.
EVERYONE WANTS TO CHANGE THE WORLD, BUT NO ONE WANTS TO CHANGE THEMSELVES.
-Leo Tolstoy
As always, thanks for your interest in becoming calm and confident.