A Chip on my Shoulder

December 14th, 2009

In recent months I have noticed that I sell, train and interact completely different than I did a year ago.  As I have reflected on the reasons why the difference. I discovered that I used to sell and train with a chip on my shoulder.  That’s right; I admit it, a chip on my shoulder! It is interesting because as I have finally taken notice of my old style of human interaction, I see more clearly than ever that others interact in similar fashion as I once did.  So, why the chip?

First, I would like to post a disclaimer and say that the following paragraphs are not an intentional indictment on men but rather critical observations I have made on men and how some sell.  I am convinced that we men are born insecure.   Men (including myself) are constantly asking themselves two questions: “Am I good enough? Or Do I have what it takes?”  There is a lot of pressure surrounding those two never ceasing questions.  With such questions dancing around in your head, we tend to feel like we have something to prove.  I know I did? Ask yourself this question, “Do I have something to prove and to who?”

With everything that has occurred in my life I felt a driving pressure to prove something.  In fact, that pressure became so intense that I became subconsciously angry from this internal drive.  Anger became the foundation of my “being,” and I am sure all those I came in contact with probably experience me as such—or felt an arrogance beaming from my presence.

This is not “true confessions” of Paul Lushin but rather open vulnerability of me to encourage others to explore how they “show up” when they interact with others.  Consider what others say about you—do they say things like, “He’s cocky, or that guy can be arrogant, or he seems aloof, or he’s a hard guy to get to know, or you either love ‘em or hate ‘em?”  If people make those comments about you, consider you might have a chip on your shoulder.  What are you trying to prove and why?  Live life for the fun of living life and prove not to others but to a noble cause that you hold in your heart.

Paul Lushin

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