attitude shift

[riflop]

How do I live every day as though I were in a hospital?

It recently occurred to me: there is nothing I can't do in the hospital.  I stride down the corridors with my head held high.  I have the answers to the questions.  All the questions.  If I walk into a situation that I've never been confronted with before, I have complete confidence in my

Comments

[ubiq31]

There's a difference between arrogance and confidence. Self-control and self-assuredness I can see as positives; expecting everything to be obeyed and expecting everything to be right are a bit much ;) Granted, you *do* say you don't necessarily mean that literally, but just clarifying what might otherwise be an issue ;)

You're flawed. We all are. Every single human on this planet. It's recognizing those flaws and being able to live with them rather than necessarily trying to change every last one of them. Some need changing...others don't. If you try and stamp them all out, you'll make new ones.

You need more social situations, more low-pressure social situations.

[arandall]

easy, study humanity

[chite]

Although Aaron's answer is short and sweet, this is the sum of what I was going to say

[mokey4]

Wow dude, that was awesome.

[banzai2326]

See, I have the opposite problem. When I worked for the Navy, I was respected and good at my job and confident at work. And while my dating life was never stellar, I was reasonably self-assured outside of work as well. I am still reasonably self-assured at home, but with my current job, I am much less so at work. The fact that I don't have all of the answers and am not as respected (not that I'm disrespected either) can be very uncomfortable. I often find myself asking what I think are stupid questions. I find solace in the thought that all of this stumbling and uncertainty means that I am growing out of my comfort zone into new areas of experience. In time, as I gain more experience, I will grow more confident and be stronger for it. Perhaps the same can be said for your social life?

[mokey4]

I can relate to how you feel. This is going to sound weird, but the only area in which I have ultimate confidence is in my ability to flirt with men. I also know a lot about African trade, but that is less useful in most circles (even in my own office).

I think chite has a lot of good ideas, I would listen to them. I also read a book that has helped me a lot- Dancing with Intimacy. Or maybe it was called the Dance of Intimacy, I can't remember. But it really helped me think about how to deal with my family. Actually doing the work is another thing. I let them walk all over me, and it spills over into all other aspects of my life- I'm too nice.

Real introspection, real observation of yourself and the world around you. That will make a difference, and reading a book can help.

[sooperspryte]

Okay, there are already a few book recommendations out there, but I'll put out one of my own. "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie.

Yes, that is a complete cliche, and the title is lame. But it's a really good book. It was first published in 1936 so some of the references (like to Pres. Lincoln) seem a little bit odd, but it's amazing that a book written 70 years ago is still completely pertinent.

Personally, I think it's a lot better than a dating book. It's just good advice for how to deal with people. Any people.