Are you on the defensive? Or are you totally passive? Could being on the defensive or being passive be a good thing?
I would say that for most of us we are on the defensive most of the time. Why, because we are always looking at people and situations as if they were just about to attack us in some way. You may wonder about this – well it is true. We have all been taught to be on the defensive from early in our life. We look at others wondering whether or not they are going to say or do something that will be harmful for us. We, of course don’t want anyone to do anything that is out of the ordinary, but we’re never quite sure.
When I worked in industry I was given jobs to do and then left to do them. I always believed that I would be doing them to the best of my abilities and the boss’s satisfaction. Of course, I always had the question in my mind, would I? The boss could always find fault with my work even if he had to make something up. Like you, I was always on the defensive. I never knew from one day to the next whether or not I would do something that would end in me being fired. You, I’m sure, have had bosses like that and hated the job but could not leave because you needed the paycheck. Life is full of things like that. Sometimes it is for our highest good. Being on the defensive and alert to possible dangers. This has provably saved our life more than once.
If we are passive people, it seems that nothing ever bothers us. We don’t worry whether or not we’re doing a good job. We don’t worry about anything in general that comes are way. Nothing seems to affect us. I wonder if these people are normal. Well, they are. For them, they are living a life free from stress and the negative affects of life in general. We all wish that we could be that way at times, but rarely are. In many ways, are life would be simpler and easier to take. If we mess up on the job, it’s OK. We’ll fix it and get on to the next project. In reality, we have learned from our mistakes and don’t make them again. People who are passive are people who often keep the job running smoothly and on time. If there is nothing to worry about, then things get done in the time allotted. When I’ve been a passive worker, I was free of stress and did a good job. I loved working and things were always to the boss’s satisfaction.
We can all work in a defensive of passive manor and it is up to use to make the best of any situation that comes our way. It is always better for us have a balance in our life by being both defensive and passive as necessary. By working in both ways, we get the job done right. We’re happy, the boss is happy and we have a regular paycheck for our efforts.
Many of our friends feel good just being around us because we look at the positive things in life and ignore the negative. We are always coming up with a better way of doing things because we are always looking for the things that will make the job better and easier. Sometimes, we are able to inspire others to be more positive and produce in a manor that is smooth and easy to grasp. Who said that life has to be full of the negative? Who said that always being on the defensive is the only way? We get out of life what we put into it, good or bad, being defensive or being passive, it’s up to us.
