“Sorry not sorry”
Most of the time, my blogs and thoughts center around my personal life and things I love to do – why to run without headphones, my favorite leg workouts, or lately, more parenting-related posts like what it was like to run a half marathon a few months after having a baby.
While many topics and themes I write about do cross over into my professional life, I tend to keep that side of my life low-key. Part of that is because I believe in establishing boundaries, the other is, quite simply, my blogs are blunt, challenge popular opinions, and use colorful language. Yes, it’s who I am in real life, but I recognize it’s not always the most favorable way to present myself, professionally.
This week, I’m going to invite you a little more into my professional life. I’m a Public Relations Specialist where my job is heavily focused on writing – me, a writer. Shocking. I collaborate often, both with people on my team and coworkers on other teams. I work a lot with those outside my organization as well like editors, and people at associations and other companies we work with.
Bringing a Reese’s variety platter to a party because my app skillz are lacking. #notsorry
In short, I work with other people a lot. And, often with group work, comes dynamics and norms one seems to adapt to without always realizing it.
So, in addition to this extra-special glimpse into what I do, and because I’m a fan of setting goals, I’d like to share with you a professional goal I have for 2019. It’s related to something I often do automatically, without thinking; something that comes from the day-in-day-outs of working frequently with others.
In 2019, my goal is to apologize less.
This might sound like a strange goal and let me assure you it doesn’t mean I intend to be more cutthroat or rude to my colleagues.
I think we all apologize a lot. Often, I catch myself apologizing for something for which I have no reason to, or in cases when the person on the opposite end of the exchange isn’t expecting an apology. I’ve even apologized for observations or before even starting a conversation.
I’m sorry, but I say “I’m sorry” too often. Ha, see what I did there?
By skipping an unnecessary apology or offering one when I don’t mean it, I can focus on more productive conversations and more meaningful exchanges. And, when I truly am sorry, you’ll get a sincere apology and know that I mean it.
What’s a professional goal you have this year? Please share it in the comments or tweet it to me @LindsayIRL.