To Tishmeister

I have been sadly neglectful of this response to Tishmeister's blog post.  But here it is.

Intelligence vs. initiative.  That's what it was about.  See http://bluetoiletwater.blogspot.com/ for more info.

Part of the reason that people are afraid to take initiative is that they are afraid of being wrong.  I am wrong very often.  Being wrong isn't a bad thing.......until it has consequences beyond just embarrassing yourself.  Being wrong is a good way to learn.

Some people use and abuse the phrases, "I'm only human, after all", and "To err is human."  Both are true, but when foresight and planning could have prevented a mistake, it's time to fess up.  What happens often in the American workforce is that people blur the lines between honest, unpreventable, unconsequencial mistakes and those that are caused by lack of preparation, and have consequences. 

No one likes to be embarrassed, least of all me.  And really, one shouldn't be embarrassed when being incorrect in the process of learning.  Our culture may promote that incorrectness of any kind is to be avoided at all costs, and that principle promotes two ideas:
1.  You should never risk being wrong.
2.  You should make every effort not to be embarrassed, even if you must make excuses.

The first principle is one that I completely disregard as insane and useless.  The second, I disregard in the same manner, but I do not always disregard it like I should.

Excuses are tempting.  They get you out of stuff.  It's like a get of jail free card.  Everyone loves those, but we shouldn't.

People want jobs that they can't mess up.  I understand that.  It all goes back to being inside your shell.  Stepping out of your comfort zone, getting out of the box is not something that Americans are encouraged to do.  Stay safe.  Stay untouchable.  Be beyond embarrassment.  You know what I really don't want to do in a few Sundays?  I don't want to lead the congregation in the hymns.  But you know what, I'm going to do it, because I'll do my best.  I might embarrass myself, but you know what?  There's really noting to be embarrassed about.  I'm doing something for the better of the church, and that's that.

People are afraid to step out and take initiative.  Don't be.