If you have been paying attention (or if you have these things e-mailed to you), you know that the website had a bit of a fit this week. First, it created a whole series of blank blog posts. Then, it sent an e-mail with several old blog posts. Since then, I have been off-line.
Part of it is trying to figure out what happened. Another part is trying to avoid it again. Trouble is, these are computers, and it is hard to figure out how to avoid it. When something goes wrong, the natural tendency is to back off and do nothing, because that way you avoid the hassle. I have also started working in a new firm, which makes my days a bit more interesting and filled. So, nothing for a few days.
This is how we are, isn't it? Most of us do not like to mess things up and we do not like for things to mess us up. Our status quo is what we want. We want things to be simple and reliable and easy to use. We do not want things to be complicated or untrustworthy.
So, let's think a minute about this, from a different perspective. Stop thinking about this from your side (about stuff you use) and think about it from the other side, from the side of people who rely on you. When we are the person relied upon, and we fail (as we all sometimes fail), we have a very different view. From the "we failed" side we immediately look for forgiveness and (usually) forgetfulness. We want people to "understand" what happened and, if possible, to decide it wasn't our fault.
I hate that the website freaked out. But when I freak out, when I fail, I want everyone to forgive me right away. As a teacher, sometimes I say things badly or even say bad things (two very different things). I want people to understand and accept that I, too, fail. I do not want them to be angry with me or resentful. I do not want them to step aside from me and never trust me again.
When you fail, how do you react? I have seen so many people react as if they were the one with a grievance. You know what I mean. You make a mistake and, when someone calls you on it, you react as if they were the problem. You tell them about all the things you have done right and about how you did not get much sleep last night and, too often, about how unfair they are being because they are angry with you for being wrong. Finally, and worst of all, you may start telling them about how wrong they have been in the past.
So, I will say this about the whole website fiasco. It never told me it was right. It never responded to me by claiming that I should be more understanding or demanding that I somehow recognize how great it has always been. It did not remind me of the times I have messed up. It just went back to working.
I wish I were more like the website in that sense. I wish that I accepted my errors and just went back to work, not trying to deny them or justify them or use them as an excuse to hurt other people.
Made any mistakes lately?
Part of it is trying to figure out what happened. Another part is trying to avoid it again. Trouble is, these are computers, and it is hard to figure out how to avoid it. When something goes wrong, the natural tendency is to back off and do nothing, because that way you avoid the hassle. I have also started working in a new firm, which makes my days a bit more interesting and filled. So, nothing for a few days.
This is how we are, isn't it? Most of us do not like to mess things up and we do not like for things to mess us up. Our status quo is what we want. We want things to be simple and reliable and easy to use. We do not want things to be complicated or untrustworthy.
So, let's think a minute about this, from a different perspective. Stop thinking about this from your side (about stuff you use) and think about it from the other side, from the side of people who rely on you. When we are the person relied upon, and we fail (as we all sometimes fail), we have a very different view. From the "we failed" side we immediately look for forgiveness and (usually) forgetfulness. We want people to "understand" what happened and, if possible, to decide it wasn't our fault.
I hate that the website freaked out. But when I freak out, when I fail, I want everyone to forgive me right away. As a teacher, sometimes I say things badly or even say bad things (two very different things). I want people to understand and accept that I, too, fail. I do not want them to be angry with me or resentful. I do not want them to step aside from me and never trust me again.
When you fail, how do you react? I have seen so many people react as if they were the one with a grievance. You know what I mean. You make a mistake and, when someone calls you on it, you react as if they were the problem. You tell them about all the things you have done right and about how you did not get much sleep last night and, too often, about how unfair they are being because they are angry with you for being wrong. Finally, and worst of all, you may start telling them about how wrong they have been in the past.
So, I will say this about the whole website fiasco. It never told me it was right. It never responded to me by claiming that I should be more understanding or demanding that I somehow recognize how great it has always been. It did not remind me of the times I have messed up. It just went back to working.
I wish I were more like the website in that sense. I wish that I accepted my errors and just went back to work, not trying to deny them or justify them or use them as an excuse to hurt other people.
Made any mistakes lately?