How I Discovered The Art Of Listening and changed my attitude from that of stubborn to one of actually learning and creating
I never imagined a friendly chat could flip the way I see things. My buddy came back from the doctor, fuming. Apparently, the doc told him he was overweight, which didn’t go down well. He thought it was absolute rubbish. That got me thinking about this saying I have: ‘If you won’t like the answer, then don’t ask the question.’ But really, aren’t there times we need to hear the tough stuff even if we don’t want to?
We’ve seen it all before, right? Being told something by experts—but we’re just not ready to hear it. My friend’s reaction kind of hit home for me. It felt all too familiar. It’s easy to ignore what doesn’t fit the picture we have of ourselves, even at the expense of good advice.
It’s crazy when you think about not taking advice from people who’ve been around the block longer than us. Seven years in medical school and a decade in practice, the doc probably knew what he was talking about. Yet, here we are brushing off advice like we know better. This made me reflect on situations where listening could’ve saved me a ton of trouble, especially in my professional life.
The Struggles of Stubbornness: The Problem with Not Listening
We’ve all been there, wrapped up in our own heads, thinking we’ve got the world figured out. I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of thinking I knew best, especially when it came to marketing. I’d hire top-dollar consultants only to dismiss their input because, well, I thought my ideas were unbeatable.
The truth is, there’s this giant wall of stubbornness that keeps us from recognizing the value in other people’s experiences. Think back to when you last ignored advice that could’ve saved you time or heartache. It’s that pesky voice inside making us believe we’re the exception to the rule.
For me, it all felt like banging my head against a wall when things didn’t go according to plan. Frustration was my middle name after spinning my wheels for far too long, simply because I wouldn’t listen. And let’s be honest, even when we seek out mentorship, sometimes our inflated egos make us hard of hearing.
Ignoring advice doesn’t just cost time; it’s a surefire way to miss growth opportunities. It’s like having a map but refusing to look at it because we think we know a shortcut. The more I ignored what people were trying to tell me, the further I veered off course.
The real kicker? It wasn’t just about business. It extended into personal areas as well. Asking for help or advice lost its meaning if I wasn’t open to truly accepting what came my way.
Transformation Through Listening: Embracing the Solution
Sometimes, life hands you exactly what you need, even if it’s wrapped in something you didn’t want. Michael Cheney popped into my life at a time I was ready to change—or face the consequences of not doing so. It was his straightforward advice that finally knocked down the walls I’d built around listening.
You might say it was my wake-up call. I started paying attention and leaning into what the experts told me. Michael’s system wasn’t just another plan—it was a blueprint that turned my stubbornness into strategy. And guess what? It worked. By trusting in his advice, my ventures finally started gaining some serious traction.
I learned that listening is more than just hearing; it’s about understanding and applying what you learn. Cheney’s approach was simple yet powerful, nudging me towards seeing things from a perspective I would’ve easily ignored before.
There’s no magic involved—just the practical wisdom of following a guide who knows the ropes. That’s what I needed. And suddenly, all those years of trial and error looked like stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.
It’s like I had been trying to put together a puzzle without seeing the picture on the box. Once I started listening, not just in business but in life overall, everything started to align. It’s a funny thing, humility. It opens up a whole new world that stubbornness usually shuts out.
So here it is—be open, stay humble, and embrace advice. Whether it’s from a seasoned doctor, a marketing mentor like Michael, or anyone with valuable insights, let their experience guide you. Tomorrow’s growth rides on today’s willingness to listen.