Communication Essentials - Are you really surprised?

“If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn’t be more surprised than I am right now.” - Clark Griswold, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

today’s communication essential: are you really surprised?

Does anything surprise you anymore?

A really big, really open-ended question, right?

I mean, every day, something surprises me. Look around.

Are you surprised by that person using FaceTime in the grocery store?
No, I’m surprised by that person using FaceTime in the grocery store without headphones.

Are you surprised by that person eating during a movie?
No, I’m surprised by that person eating a four-course meal during a movie.

Are you surprised your neighbor is cutting his grass for the third time this week?
No, I’m surprised that my neighbor is cutting his grass for the third time this week at 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday.

But what about in the business world? We’ve seen some pretty dramatic changes and disruptions. Are we at the point where you say, “Nothing would surprise me?”

If you’re superstitious, like me, you would never say that out loud. But … have we seen it all?

Nah. In fact, believe it or not, I’m surprised by some of the most basic things. And I think I’m more surprised by them the longer I’m in the game. I’ve listed a few below for your consideration and to serve as fodder for what hopefully becomes a longer list with your entries.

Part blog, part PSA I shared a lot of these because it seems sometimes we get wrapped up in what we think is important and lose sight of our role in…everything. Relationships. Work. Our health and wellness. I guess I could’ve summed it up by quoting that wise sage Jerry Springer – “Take care of yourself, and each other.” But then, I couldn’t have pursued this ‘surprise’ gimmick and challenged you to share your surprises with me.

So let’s dig in. What’s surprising you these days