Lesson from Vacation #2

Lesson from Vacation #2

It fascinates me to watch how other people look after their children.

I lost count of the number of times a certain toddler would knock things over, and generally be a nuisance whilst we were sitting in the 'club' in the evenings. The parents would quite happily drink away - whilst their three year old was coming up to people it didn't know.

Straight away - Lesley and myself commented that we couldn't believe how some parents just let their children run wild, without the slightest concern for others. Maybe it's just me - but I like to know what Katie (who's 6) is doing wherever we are as you never can be too careful where children are concerned.

I realised that we were judging these parents solely on our perception of their abilities as a 'good' parent. They could have been the nicest people you could possibly meet - yet we had already made our minds up about them.

It's the same in any walk of life. If you like to gossip at work - people will automatically form a certain impression of you that almost certainly won't reflect you in a good light. If you are late wherever you go - people will form a certain opinion of you - even if they don't know you.

Perception is a very dangerous thing when it is 'against' you. You may be the best parent, or manager - yet you will be judged primarily by the impression that you give - and not necessarily by you skills or output.

Be on your guard against yourself - sometimes you can be your own worst enemy!