Time to read: 56 seconds
Years ago when I hired my first coach, I got 2-word responses when I emailed her. If I was having a "learning experience" between sessions (usually accompanied by tears and snot), I had to wait until my next session to tell her about it.
These things annoyed me.
Other things that annoy me (it's a long list so I'll only give you a few):
- When people don't respond to emails.
- When people get aggressive or yell at me in traffic.
- When a group jumps straight to the work without establishing relationships first.
Annoyance provides insight into what's important to you. Other people get to design their lives and work however they like. I have no judgment for the 2-word email or the lack of response. (I do judge the traffic situation ever so slightly.)
Take a look at your annoyances and let them guide how you design your commitments.
For example:
- I value communication and connection so I reply to every email.
- I want my clients to feel supported out in the world so they are able email and text me between sessions.
- If it annoys you when people interrupt your focus, make sure you check before interrupting others.
- If you know the power of relationship to make work easier, then you do what's needed to prioritize connection.
- If getting cut off in traffic annoys you, be generous with those trying to merge.
Using your annoyances lifts being annoyed from something that's... well... annoying and elevates them into tools to create work and life on your terms.