Proverbs are always platitudes until you have personally experienced the truth of them.  Aldous Huxley.

Twists on the word “personally” is the subject of this Blog post, Personally to/for You…  During your career, I’m sure you have heard the phrase, “Don’t take this personally. . . “, and, of course, we do take it personally.   This phrase sets the tenor of what is to spoken; it usually is a negative statement or, may be interpreted by the listener as negative,  Perhaps it’s because we hear the word don’t.  We tend to brace ourselves for what is to come.  The question is, How can we listen to this phrase and be in control of our understanding of what will be said?

The word personally is used most often as an adverb.  Thesaurus.com, in one instance, gives the definition for personally as internally.  The synonyms for this definition are, emotionally, non-objectively, egocentrically, inner.  So it’s very normal and not surprising how most of us brace ourselves to listen to the phrase, “Don’t take this personally…”.

The antonym to this definition presents an opportunity to control how we listen to the word don’t.  The antonym is objectively, as well as mentally and introspectively.  Choosing to listen by being objective and mentally introspective, helps us be more aware of ourselves as we are listening.  We become more mindful of ourselves and open to listening what is about to be said.  We choose who we want to be known as in the conversation.  Have a great Personally to/for You…week!

“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Career Management Coach and Change Agent.

Notes:  “personally,”  Roget’s 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition.  Philip Lief Group 2009.  09 April 2013.  <Thesaurus.com.  http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/personally&gt;

“Quotes”.  Roget’s 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition.  Philip Lief Group 2009.  09 April 2013.  <Thesaurus.com.  http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/Quotes&gt;