Aesop's Fable #

One day as the Lion walked proudly down a forest aisle, and the animals respectfully made way for him, an Ass brayed a scornful remark as he passed.

The Lion felt a flash of anger. But when he turned his head and saw who had spoken, he walked quietly on. He would not honor the fool with even so much as a stroke of his claws.

Do not resent the remarks of a fool. Ignore them.

You will get surrounded by fools time and again, that isn't changing in this lifetime. So why even expect that utopian place where only wise men exist who know how to treat others with respect and humility?

People will be driven by short-term goals, selfish objectives, twisted incentives, or bloated egos. Sometimes, it's only insecurity masquerading as confidence or arrogance. These tendencies make people behave in strange ways. They could come across as rude, and inappropriate and it is a herculean task to change their attitudes or personalities. So don't even try.

You would be better off working on yourself and building upon one trait that could pay rich dividends in this hyperactive and goal-seeking world of ours i.e. becoming thick-skinned. The dictionary defines it as 'Insensitive to criticism or insults or rejections'.

"I had to learn that some people are just not going to like you. I had to have thick skin when I would see what people would say or write about me." - Allen Iverson

And there is a specific way to build upon this trait. Let me share a few -

• Running a voluntary activity e.g. Book Club

• Upselling / cross-selling to a prospective client

• Seeking a discount every time you buy something

• Asking for extra rice/meat/curry for free while dining

• Asking for donations/contributions for a cause you believe in

• Asking for an upgrade to Business every time you travel Economy class

The odds are high that you will be declined in most of these requests. Some of you might consider these as cheap and inappropriate. And most of you have enough money to afford these on your own without seeking favors.

The idea isn't to squeeze the other person and maximize gains for you. The idea is to place yourself in difficult conversations from time to time so that you become skilled at handling rejections, criticisms and even being looked down upon.

In these cases, at least you know it could happen, In real life, some instances are too hard and painful to bear and muddle through. If you're prepared for these scenarios, it's easier when it happens from unexpected quarters. And it will happen to each of us.

The ones prepared will sail through it effortlessly. The ill-prepared ones might be scarred for life.