Maturity

GROWING UP

Developing into mature adults takes longer for some people than others. This is especially true of children who are left to take care of sickly parents. This can mean some are prematurely advanced to adopt a level of maturity whereas some of us who never really have to adopt this responsibility, don't achieve a level of maturity even after becoming parents ourselves.

Age doesn't really come into it, but reaching my 40's has meant for me, I'm finally starting to mature. Growing up and being a mature adult doesn't necessarily require us to be responsible for others, but does require a deeper understanding of ourselves for better understanding other people. This is where maturity starts to grow.

Little things like being more mindful of how we impact each other, like always being punctual and addressing our bad habits etc. can be the first stages for reaching maturity. The bigger changes will occur as we become more more flexible in our thinking and willingness to accept other people and their ways of doing things. Self knowing is the best gift we can give to humanity.

The Robot Human

MANAGING THE MACHINE

We are biological robots. We start off in this world with basic programming which we learn to master with the help of our parents. We then have other children and teachers at school to top-up the learning process and eventually we are set free to take this programmed human being out into the wider world where we bolt on our own extra software enhancements to make us capable of functioning in society. 

The Robot v Human

Knowing how and when to operate in the rational, logical programme mode is essential to getting on with other people in every day situations. We have been programmed to act a certain way from a very young age. Being polite, patient and considerate to others has been instilled - hard-coded in. It is not a natural trait to be unselfish and hence why we engage our practised mind to make us act correctly for better coping around others - especially in a work environment. We become like a programmed robot.

The problem with always having a pre-thought programme running, is that we never really get to enjoy the moment we're in. Allowing the times for us to be in a more 'child-like' curious, adventurous and creative state will enable us to have a freedom to be with others in a much more free state of being. And if we've given enough time to develop the robot, or rational side of our brains, we can be assured that the underline robot mind will stop us from coming too far out of our playful state to cause any harm to ourselves or others. It's essentially having the robot/parent state set up in a way that allows us to live as humans - playful, inquisitive and fun beings that we are.

Another Perspective

PUT YOURSELF IN ANOTHER'S SHOES

I had a role reversal yesterday. I was the one trying to fit in, impress without seeming too cocky but confident at the same time - trying not to step out of line or be too familiar, so I could be asked back again and be included in the gang. It was not intended that I take a role reversal, but here I am with the boot on the other foot so to speak. I've taken a lesson from it all the same as I see a bit of myself in this other personality that I have to please. 

First Impressions

Being in charge. It's difficult getting the balance right - trying to give off a level of authority in a friendly, approachable way so as not to seem rude, condescending or too demanding. The same goes for the other person. Taking on the opposite role of someone running the show can be useful. It usually comes down to those very first impressions, so it's important to get this bit right at the start. Sometimes though, no matter what you do, there is just no winning that person over and it's often just down to a misunderstanding or clash of personalities.

Being able to put yourself in a position to look at things from a different perspective, will enable you to see how tricky it is to fit in and succeed in some environments. A smart way to win people over is to understand their personality types. If you can identify their stress points and play to their needs and desires - people will be a lot easier to please and win over.

Mixed Messages

MISUNDERSTOOD

Why aren't schools teaching us to understand the difficulties of communicating with each other? We all need to learn from an early age the fact that as human beings, what we believe we're presenting and what others perceive from us are totally different.

It's amazing that we manage any level of communication at all. We're constantly making up our minds about other people from very biased and limited assumption. ie. the way they look. First impressions really do matter apparently - as we base our assumptions on someone from the very first moment we cast eyes on them. This article I read today, on the topic of being misunderstood has been a revelation for me and it's wise words should be shared with all - so we can all learn to be more understanding towards others and not judge a book by it's cover...