Wednesday, April 9, 2008

"Everyone Needs an Editor"



Daily I'm reminded we all need editors...
  • We are better communicators when we let someone else review what we write (emails included)
  • We are better speakers when someone is allowed to give input on points that didn't make sense, the overuse of hand motions, or the fact the light is glowing off our bald head...
  • We are better teammates when we ask for input, feedback, and ideas for improvement when relating to others, our management style, or how we ran a meeting...

  • We live more on purpose when we allow others to see how we actually spend our time, energy, and money vs. the vision we have for our lives and what we "say" our priorities are....
  • We can better see "blind spots" in our faith if we allow others to speak into our lives and engage in some sort of accountability....

We all need editors. The problem is I like me. I'm enamored with me. I think my ideas are darn good. I don't like being wrong. Why? I'm right. My problem is me... I need to get over me. So, I grit my teeth, I try to listen, I try to listen to others and helpful critiques because it's good for me and sometimes I have to keep telling myself that.

If I live and do with only me to see, my life and results will be half of what they could be....

So in that vain, this surprised me... this was a new one... this picture was taken from one of my editors (my wife Kem) while I was working from home at our kitchen table... I was not mad or stressed... I'm sure I was lost in my email and pushing projects and agendas.... so this is my "normal" look..... Would you want to approach this guy if he was working in his office? Does he look like he's loving what he does? Does he look fun? What a grump.

So consider me edited... I'm going to try and smile more. I don't want to scare people.

BIG TAKAWAY: Get your own paparazzi... seeing random photos of yourself may be good for personal editing...

So how about it? Got Edit?



4 comments:

Anonymous said...

got edit? sure. that's why we get married isn't it...

self-assure in your top 5 mark? me too.

I'm always right too. unless my wife tells me I'm wrong. then, i'm wrong.

Mark Meyer said...

J-

That's hilarious... I'm going to start asking all these young bucks that question..."Yeah, but is she a good editor?" just to see the look on their face...

Sounds like we're a lot alike... I like being humble when I choose to be humble... I hate being humbled... Ugh... looks like more life lessons ahead...

Anonymous said...

Mark,

I hope you are doing well! Long time reader, first time commenter.

I just found out that a guy in my small group, Chayce Herron, works for you at Stacked. Small world eh?

Mel said...

I appreciate your insight... and I'm glad you don't want to look so scary and grumpy!