Recently in a meeting with a prospective client, I made the comment, “can I be honest with you?” Once I said it and realized what I had said, I followed that up with letting them know I was already being honest and I would continue to be honest with them. What I was trying to say was the equiviant to “this is going to hurt”.
As you might imagine and maybe have experienced, I have to get the attention of the people that I intend on helping. I have to be able to show them what is going on currently and what the future consequences will be if there is not change and immediate change.
Most people are in my office, on the phone, or on some sort of Internet connection tool because they do not have a plan. They may have thought they have a plan, but for what ever reason now they do not have plan or the plan is not working. Often it is hard for people to accept the situation that they are in.
Acceptance is the first step in moving in the right direction. Accepting that you are where you are and not accepting that you are staying there is key in moving forward.
Denial gets no one anywhere. Blame, and there is always plenty to go around, sure but what does it fix? Hopefully blame will prevent something’s from recurring, but it will not put anyone on the right path.
What is it that you have trouble accepting and how can I, or anyone else, ask “can I be honest with you?” Are you willing to accept and take corrective action? It may hurt, but changing course may make the hurt seem worthwhile.