I knew it was going to be a busy month – Christmas, holiday parties, our boys coming home for the holidays, a new generation of Rumraisin puppies due around the 15th, New Year’s Eve and, then the proverbial frosting on the cake… I got scheduled for hip replacement surgery on December 30th. (NOT looking forward to that last one at all!)

If you know me at all, you know that everyone – my husband, kids, veterinarian, medical doc, and the rest of my support staff KNOW exactly what’s going on and what their specific role is. It’s the best way I know of to make sure me, my family and the PUPPIES 🙂 are all well-cared for, in the way that I want it to be done! Truly, this is MAAP planning in action!

Rumraisin Pupdate

The puppies were born early December 16th. Of the nine, 6 have made it! They are getting bigger and stronger by the second! One of the female puppies is half the size of her siblings. Things were touch and go with her for a while, but she is holding her own. Even though she is tiny, she is feisty and FIERCE. I’ve named her Lilli (short for Lilliputian) so she has stronger ties to this world –  More pics and updates to follow. Stay tuned…

Pro-Active Communication and Planning

As I mentioned earlier, the busier and more hectic things get, the better the well-oiled machine works when I take the time to plan things out and communicate with those involved. I’m sure you’ve noticed the same thing in your life. “Stuff” happens because life happens.

Breakdowns in communication cause breakdowns in how we get to experience life. There are very few things that can’t be dealt with effectively through good communication. And, yes, I know some of those communications aren’t easy, but they ARE necessary.

Something I’m guilty of all too often myself, is not asking people what they mean when they’ve said something. I don’t ask open-ended questions to check and see what exactly they mean, especially when emotions over my puppies are involved!! When I assume that I know what someone else is talking about, I get into real trouble.  The opportunity to make some REALLY inappropriate assumptions about what they are trying to say to me, abounds. And, that never helps to move the conversation forward.

We all have our own confirmation bias on what is meant by a certain statement. It serves to fuel our ‘correct view’ of the situation.  If we don’t get clarification of the other person’s intent, our ego will help us look for things from our past experiences to support why our interpretation is the right one… More often than not, ego is dead wrong.

Ego just LOVES to be right

All too often, the price we pay for “being right” is just too high. Does being right really make you feel good when it’s at the other person’s expense, or if it permanently fractures a relationship? Short-term, probably. But, long-term – there are nothing but regrets!

Here are a couple things I do to facilitate more pro-active communications… 

• Let the other person off the hook. Give them the benefit of the doubt and ask more open-ended probing questions in a non-invasive, non-confrontational way! (I sure said a mouthful there – ask my staff!)

• It helps (a lot) to address your concerns before they become disagreements. It’s a more positive, peaceful and productive way to live life! I’ve had so many requests from people who want to learn how to do this, that I’ll be running several webinars focused on communicating pro-actively in 2017. If you’re interested in attending, be on the lookout for the announcements.

From all of us here at Hamilton Law and Mediation & the Rumraisin Ranch, we wish you a Holiday Season filled with joy & a peaceful and prosperous New Year!

Thank you for your continued interest and support. We value our relationship with you very much. We’re looking forward to working with you in the upcoming year.