Lessons from NS: Introduction and Lesson #1

Sometime ago, on my Company's Facebook group (yes! facebook is that pervasive!), I posted the following:

"Our (or Mine at least) frustrations with this unit are like an itchy backside that can never heal. The more we think about it, the more we scratch, the more it itches, the more frustrating it gets. Yet even when we stop thinking about it, because of the earlier scratching, its still red, throbbing, sore and painful and we just wish it would go away and leave us alone. May we all ORD unbroken by this experience."

It was an impulsive move, fueled by itchy fingers just before booking in. Anyway, OC responded by sending a message to my Facebook Inbox. Suffice to say that the subsequent exchange led to him putting the following question to me in one message "But did u learn anything?"

2 days later, as I was performing Guard Duty (yes its a performance), I decided I should start thinking about the lessons I've learnt in NS. My intention is NOT to create a list of stuff relevant only in the context of national service, but a list of lessons that can be applied, in a most practical fashion, to a wider context.

The following is not exhuastive and there will be new additions from time to time as "aha" moments strike me.


Lesson #1
Have an exit strategy in any conflict.

When in an argument, especially one about to turn even nastier, I must be prepared to eat humble pie and admit wrong if necessary. This is regardless of whether or not I believe myself to be wrong. This avoids unnecessary unpleasantness and limits the "damage" caused by the argument. This is especially important if I, by necessity or desire, will be maintaining a long term working or friendly relationship with the other party or parties.