Understanding II
Do you know why a firefighter will hurry to attend a fire scene even though it is dangerous? Or why a captain of a ship will remain in a sinking boat to allow other passengers to get to safety?
You can always see the difference understanding makes in how people behave or react.
People do things for various reasons, some because it is easy, celebrated, profitable, and honourable, among others. They are happy to keep doing it for that reason, but they may need to realise that there is more to it than what they think or perhaps ignore the other aspects. The complete picture of any assignment usually has its challenges as well. Some people are not willing to stay when they have to face the reality of the challenges that come their way on their chosen path. You will find that there is no challenge-free path in life. The people who eventually make a mark in their chosen field know what to do but have a good understanding of the challenges and are willing to weather the storm. It is one thing to do something; it is another to be aware of the full implications and be happy to live with them.
Many people are willing to travel the path when the going is easy, but very few carry on when the going is tough.
“The complete picture of any assignment usually has its challenges as well.”
A fireman understands the implication of his job and the risks that may come with it, so he is aware and takes responsibility for his role. He is equipped and willing to do it because he understands it is part of his work. If you meet someone who identifies as a firefighter but cannot attend to fire or does not think it is part of his work, what would you think of such an individual? It is a choice, but if you choose to, it is only fitting to have a good understanding of the implications of the decision.
You may come across some people needing help understanding the implications of their choices and decisions, which often come to light in challenging times.
The same is true for any decision. It is crucial to have the understanding to help you pursue and achieve your goal. Imagine an individual that wants to be a Surgeon but does not like to see patients or blood. You may wonder, what do they think the profession is all about? It could be that such people only think of the fat salary and hope to be paid for doing what they like to do instead. One of the questions such people may have to answer is this; what do you think you get paid so much to do?
One employer got told off for not honouring a business appointment with a client because he did not feel like doing it. The manager also informed him afterwards that he would not get paid. He was furious and asked why. The manager replied and said you do not understand that your salary comes from the payments made by the customers you service. He did not realise that he was working for the company to make money to get his salary. Some people need to understand how their actions affect their outcomes.
The daughter of a small business owner got upset with a regular customer that patronised the business, and she attempted to mess up the order. The father noticed and called her aside to have a word with her. His words were the following; ‘the customer pays our bills. If they do not buy from us, we will not have the money, and you will not have your pay.’ The daughter realised the link and adjusted her attitude for a better outcome. Understanding could make a significant change to behaviour and how we react.
“Whatever you choose to do, Understand it.”
One student once refused to sit for his final year examination, and his excuse was that he did not like the teacher and would fail the subject to punish the teacher. He may think the teacher may get fired for his poor performance, which could be possible in some cases, but only a lack of understanding can explain his willingness to jeopardise his future without knowing. He does not understand how his decision will affect his future but is confident it will affect someone else. He needs help to appreciate that his name is on the certificate, not his teacher’s. He had to face the reality of his decision when he could not progress in his studies while his classmates had secured a place in the university.
It is a good idea to have a holistic approach to decisions. Consider what you can enjoy or gain and what you have to lose or contribute. For example, If you have decided to have children, you should expect to manage a lot of mess and give a part of your life for their growth and development. Children do not grow into adults in one day and need their parents’ commitment all the way through.
The firefighter and the captain will hurry to take responsibility because they understand their role and are mature enough to stand by their decisions even when it is dangerous.
It is good to be abreast of the full implications of your decisions as much as you possibly can, especially before you commit to the action. You may find that people suffer because they act without understanding. It is, therefore, crucial that you ensure that you act maturely. Whatever you choose to do, understand it.
You will display understanding when you are willing to act maturely, fully aware of your decisions’ implications, and still standing by them.
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