Contending With Noise

No one wants to be compared with the Grinch, especially how he is when he is first introduced by Dr. Seuss. He is mean, selfish, bitter, and nasty. He paces back and forth and spews his frustration at the town of Whoville and its residents. His biggest source of frustration is the "noise, noise, noise" that comes from Whoville. Noise is a source of frustration for many of us as well. For us, of course, noise is everywhere. And particularly with the rise of social media, it comes at us from all different angles at all times of the day and night. The Grinch simply wants the noise to stop. Our situation is a bit more complex. On the one hand, we have the daily challenge of distinguishing between what is nonsense and what is worth hearing. On the other, we, too, want to be heard but we realize contending with all that other noise makes our need to connect with others much more difficult. These twin communication challenges are made even trickier by the reality that most everyone else faces the same frustrations and challenges. At times, it's enough to turn us all into Grinches.

But because communication is the ultimate connector, the challenge of noise is one that cannot be ignored or put off. The successful navigation of noise can help us as individuals achieve a greater sense of fulfillment and better position ourselves to gain success - however we might define it. Fortunately, those twin challenges are related and, as a result, can be faced as a package. Firstly, figuring out what noise is nonsense and what is relevant to our own ambitions, values, and personal growth speaks to the necessity of knowing ourselves; that, is, having a strong sense of who we are and what it is we wish impart to others. I realize developing this fundamental knowledge is a lifetime challenge. It starts with exposing ourselves to as much noise as possible. (Sorry Grinch.) Then, with the help of those we trust and admire, by using the benchmarks of identifying how it is we we wish to be perceived, how it is we wish to conduct ourselves, and what it is we wish to share with others, we can begin separating the nonsense from the meaningful. Word of caution: we will never totally rid ourselves from nonsense. And that's a good thing because this awareness helps solidify our own sense of self.

Secondly, there is the matter of connecting with others. Once you have a good sense of what it is you wish to impart and/or share with others, then you need to prioritize who those "others" are. Family? Friends? Co-workers? Potential customers? Who are these people? What are their interests, needs and wishes? How do they collect information? The more you learn about others the better able you will be to connect with them. Generally, this requires establishing a balance between being self-focused and other-focused. Granted, achievcing this balance is not always easy to attain and maintain, but it can be done. The better able you are to hit that particular bullseye, then the better able you will be like the Grinch was at the end of his story - in greater harmony with yourself and with those around you.