Day Two: Settling In

“Anyone who has lost track of time when using a computer knows the propensity to dream, the urge to make dreams come true and the tendency to miss lunch.”~Tim Berners-Lee

Today, my lunch time was spent thinking about the question "Am I becoming a  person I can respect?"  This is day two of the 37 Day Challenge and I think I am pleased with my general direction.

First of all, today I had lunch.  In my world, this is a feat in itself.  I think perhaps that I cheated when I chose this activity because it actually involves two small things (that could lead to big changes) at the same time.  The challenge I chose was to take 37 Days of lunches to figure out if I am becoming the person I want to be - a person worthy of my respect.  Step one - take a lunch.  Step two - think about this concept, write about it. Explore the meaning, the necessary actions and the outcome.

I had a difficult week this week - just a lot to do, a lot to think about and I felt the pressure of it all weighing in on me, in addition to the fact that I was not doing any of the things that really bring joy into my life.  

Today, during lunch, I was thinking about listening to people.  In my job, I have to listen to people a lot.  Sometimes, I multitask while I am listening - especially during meetings.  I don't do it to be disrespectful - I do it to be efficient.  I realized that this becomes a habit and it bleeds into my personal life, as well.  I am not a person who is constantly checking their blackberry (sidekick in this case), but I do get distracted sometimes.

For this week, while I am at work, I commit to being fully engaged when someone is talking to me.  To help me do that, the only activity other than listening that I will be doing while someone is talking to me is to take notes occasionally about the conversation I am engaged in.  This way, I will be able to remember our conversation more accurately, I have addressed the need to do something with my hands (is this a kinesthetic thing?) and at the same time, the person I am talking with knows they have my full attention.  If the person is in my office, I will let them know that I may jot down a note or two from the conversation so that they don't wonder what I am doing.

Respect means paying attention when someone is talking to you.