In the immortal words of Elton John, ‘Sorry seems to be the hardest word’ but as hard as it may be to swallow your pride and apologise, the effect of doing it will be much more beneficial to your relationships than not. Give an apology where it is due!
The benefits for them
Well just for a start, being unable to say sorry means that we are likely to stay stuck living in the past and being a valued member of the Unlimited Success community you know that is no way to live your life, right? Having no apology means that the anger and upset around a situation is unlikely to dissipate, keeping you from moving forward. A simple apology can make a world of difference!
By being willing put our pride to the side, (hey, I’m a poet and I don’t know it :-p) and acknowledge the fact that we are wrong, tells the person you are apologising to that you value them and your relationship more than your pride. This aids which aids their ‘emotional healing’ and it ultimately strengthens the relationship that you have with them.
The benefits for you
Do you ever get that feeling when you know you are wrong, but you can’t say it? Every time you see or someone mentions that person or situation you get that tightness in your chest or pulling in your tummy? The likely hood is that you are suffering from guilt and regret, and that’s not good for you. The stress it causes is more than likely going to be much more painful for you in the long run than if you just said sorry.
Apologising allows you and the person the chance to move forward and strengthen your relationship. It may also be the case that the wrong doing is affecting not only the relationship with the person the conflict was with, it could be affecting relationships with other family and friends. If you don’t apologise you may find yourself becoming isolated as the negative emotions just festers and grows. The relationships you have with those people become more and more distant as the time goes on.
Just remember, it is ok to be wrong, recognize when you are and admit it. It is better for both your personal physical and emotional health as well as the health of your relationships.
Homework
1) Think about the conflicts you have had in your life, perhaps recently or not so recently
2) Consider whether all the negative emotions that your feeling are really worth it.
3) Make the decision to say sorry and relaese all those negative feelings.
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Hi Johnnie, great video as usual… I can highly recommend ‘The One Minute Apology’ book from the ‘One Minute Manager’ series of books. It’s more than a technique, it’s a useful way to think and live more successfully.
Hey Johnnie. Great article as always. I have forwarded it on to my wife, Jane.