My three worst traits.
Really? Why on earth is this even in the running as one of the topics for the May challenge?
I actually don’t really want to share this on here. When they ask you that dreaded question in an interview, your worst trait, and you have to say something that seems bad but is actually really good, that is what this reminds me of but I might as well be honest, right?
1 / I am not a good listener.
I always think I know what someone is going to say so I jump in and say it for them. It’s extremely frustrating for the other person and I can always see it on their face. I am constantly reminding myself to stop and just listen. I will literally think to myself, “be quiet, you need to listen and wait until they’re done talking.” I am honestly trying every single day to be better at listening.
2 / I forget to smile.
This may seem odd but I consider it a negative trait. I have to force myself to look at people and smile at them. It’s really hard to do and I’ve actually had friends ask me what is wrong because I look mad all the time. Really though, I’m just staring at the ground, not smiling, minding my own business. The worst part is that people always think I’m snotty and stuck-up but I am literally just shy by nature. I talk to AJ about it all the time and he says it’s because I don’t smile enough. I need to smile more. It’s a problem but it’s one I am conscious of and working every day to overcome.
3 / I am too serious.
My mom used to tell me this all the time; that and I’m intimidating. When I was younger and happened to be surrounded by strangers, I would naturally shy-up, and become extremely introverted. Along with the no-smiling, I have always been portrayed as a very serious person. It’s truly terrible and I hate that I’ve been this way for so long.
I now consciously walk around trying to smile at random people (which feels super weird) laughing and joking on the phone at work (which helps that it’s not face-to-face), and saying hello when I enter stores. This is also a technique that I picked up from S, who I talked about in this post, who taught me the power of a friendly demeanor.
Yet sometimes my old ways will creep out and I’ll walk away from a conversation mentally pounding my head against the wall because I knew I’d spoken too seriously.
It’s an ongoing effort to improve myself as a person and grow into a better adult. It’s a long and trying journey but as long as I don’t give up I know it’ll all work out for the best.