I needed to fix something in the house, and I needed help fixing it. I called a company with a good product, service, reputation, and price. The sales representative I talked to was helpful. When I had one question that required a manager’s assistance, the representative transferred me to him.

The manager who picked up the phone wasn’t very friendly. He wasn’t thrilled to answer questions, and his responses were a little curt. That didn’t stop me from asking politely every question on my list. In the end, I was happy with his answers, and I ordered the product and service I needed.

A critical aspect of

The Law of the Garbage Truck is

to distinguish between making judgments and having preferences,

and always focusing on what matters.

I prefer people to be friendly in a business transaction. I see positive human interaction as an opportunity to spread goodwill in the workplace and in the world.

However, not all people who do good work are friendly—no matter their reason. So rather than judge them as “not nice people” or “not good guys,” I focus on their ability to do the job right. I need their help fixing my problems; they are not required to be my friends. Now, if I have two companies to choose from and they’re equal in all measures, I will choose the more friendly one. That’s my preference.

Having preferences is natural. It’s part of being human. Act on them if they’re important to you. However, be sparing in your judgments. You can prefer something—and act on that preference—without judging others too harshly.

This week notice when you start judging people. Recognize when what you’re really expressing is a preference, and refrain from turning it into a judgment. This is what living The Law of the Garbage Truck is all about.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

All the best,

---

Check out our new website for more information about The Law of the Garbage Truck movement and David’s work with corporations, schools, and communities:

http://www.davidpollay.com/index.html

Stay up with us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/thelawofthegarbagetruck

Sign up for our newsletter for helpful insights from The Law, and the latest updates:

http://www.davidpollay.com/contact.html

{ 2 comments }

I think about this every day:

Don’t protect your comfort.

Expand your comfort zone.

Too many people are in the “hunker down – the economy is terrible” mode.  This is not the time to retreat.  It’s the time to ask more of yourself.

Find ways of giving more to others; look for opportunities to contribute to their well-being.  When you help others, you make the world a better place … and the research confirms you’ll increase your happiness.

I believe deeply that good things cycle around to people who approach life in this abundant way.  In The Law of the Garbage Truck book, I call it contributing to the “Gratitude Cycle.” (pp. 120-129)

We can do it: Let’s expand our comfort zone and achieve more this year.

All the best,

p.s. Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends celebrating in the U.S.

---

Stay connected to The Law of the Garbage Truck movement on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/thelawofthegarbagetruck

Sign up for our newsletter for helpful insights from The Law, and the latest updates:

http://bewareofgarbagetrucks.com/forms/news-sign-up.htm

{ 0 comments }