I wasn't planning on posting anything for a few days. In fact, I have a post scheduled to go up on Tuesday, but I had an experience last night that I feel I need to share. Although not directly related to the topic of this blog, it is important in my mind.
We spent the first few days of spring break in Crested Butte and were lucky enough to see a good friend of mine set off on The Grand Traverse (http://thegrandtraverse.org). Yesterday, we decided to head over to Aspen. Neither of us had been there before and I wanted to see what the hype was about.
After dinner we were sitting in our car parked on a side street waiting for the doors to open for the Robert Randolph and the Family Band concert.
Robert Randolph and the Family Band - Food for the Soul
As we were sitting there, I heard a bang on the car and looked back to see a person getting into the car next to us who had opened his door into the side of my car. Surprised, I got up, opened my door and stepped out. He immediately began yelling at me and telling me how horrible I was and calling my car a beater. This was his response to putting a ding in my door? I won't go into details of what this man said or his actions but just know it was a poor display of how to act in public. I told him to have a nice day and he sped off in a huff. I probably should have blown him a farewell kiss.
The biggest takeaway I have from this event and how I connect it to the goals of The Hired Veteran is that careers and life will always present you with situations and challenges in which you have a choice on how to react. This man chose to react to a situation he created with aggression, anger, and vitriol. He was defensive and defaulted to insult. If I can promise you anything it is that you will be presented with people like this in your professional lives and it will be beyond difficult to keep an even keel. In a professional context maintaining a calm, collected, and deferential attitude might be one of the hardest things you will ever do, but in the end it will be worth it every time.
It was tough to shake off this situation but, in the end, I didn't let it ruin my night or an amazing first weekend of spring break. I was able to watch a group of talented musicians and explore a new place. I hope that I can remember that the next time the universe challenges me.
Take the high road, it keeps you cleaner.