A couple more thoughts on how to process feedback. Here comes part 2:
3) Differentiate facts from opinions and observations.
4) Look for lesson(s) from the feedback. Sometimes you need to filter it and distance yourself to “discover” interesting elements of the feedback. They may be leads and pointers to other important revelations.

Some initial thoughts on how to process feedback. Here is part one:
1) Though feedback may be personal, don’t take it personal. Each feedback giver comes from a different background and perspective, therefore with all the best intentions in mind, the feedback may not be 100% objective (May I borrow a jar of salt from someone?). Regardless how good or how bad the feedback is, take a step back and don’t get too excited or defensive.
2) Take your time to process the feedback. If you have doubt, simply say “It has been noted” and leave it as that. No need to start a big debate. You don’t have to give your response straight away.

Today is the second day of the London tube strike and I had to walk to work. Many people walked hours to work as the buses were so crowded and roads were congested. We might have to bring Margaret Thatcher back to life to put a definitive end to this mess.

I have reached my personal book sales target of 300 paid copies over the weekend!
A great heart-felt gratitude to my friends and family that have given much more support and encouragement that I could have even imagined. The 12-month target has been reached 3 months earlier (end of Sep is the first anniversary of book publication).

High Fives, Kisses and Hugs :>

To be politically correct and sensitive to my British friends, I will only direct my greeting of “Happy Independence Day” to my American friends and their families. All I will add is a brilliant decision was made on 4-Jul-1776! Did someone say “ouch”?

Today marked the end of my coaching training as I had my last session with one of my 3 clients (volunteers). I was very much encouraged by her kind words (for confidentiality, I can’t disclose more details). In addition, she mentioned she will consider to be my first paid client and spread the good word among her friends. A new chapter will begin soon :>

I used to have high respect for people in the medical profession like dentists. Today I went to a new dentist for a 45-minute routine hygiene appointment (essentially teeth cleaning). It only took him 20 minutes and he explained to me that there was nothing more to clean. However, he suggested me to try “sparkle airflow polish” to remove the coffee stain on my teeth. I was a bit alarmed as I did not realize it was this bad. I asked him where the stain was. He handed me a mirror and showed me a tiny spot (the size of toothpick tip) on the back of one of my teeth. I said in the calmest voice possible (with just a very light touch of sarcasm) that if I can’t see it myself, I don’t think it will bother anyone. I left swiftly (or “stormed out” more precisely) before he tried to “sell me the Brooklyn Bridge”!

I survived the hottest July day in the entire recorded history of London. Today’s highest intraday temperature was 36.7 degree Celsius. I can’t complain about not having a proper summer day in London (at least not this year).

Given the recent spotlight on financial crisis in Greece and the worry on its contagion to other countries, I thought about a similarity in the handling of our feelings (a bit of a stretch I know :>).
It is very easy and natural for most people to let a negative event have a longer lasting influence on us than it should be.   For example, after an argument with someone (no name mentioned), we tend to be more negative or aggressive than normal and in most cases it is probably not very helpful nor “fair” to the other people that we shall have interaction with later. We should do our best to isolate the negative event emotionally and the associated feelings and contain the impact avoiding an emotional downward spiral.

Recognition is a good start and rationalization (to stop the impact) can be helpful.

It was a bit of a disaster with delay and such on my Eurostar trip from Paris this morning.
I thought it may be good to discuss how to deal with the travel delay.
1) Stay calm (Keep an eye on your luggage, passport and wallet. Losing them is worse.)
2) Think of alternatives if needed.
3) Check if there is compensation from the travel provider  (yes, it is important)
4) Don’t get upset once you have established that there is nothing can be done by you but wait.
5) Make the best use of the “extra” time. Have a drink/coffee and/or read a book/magazine.