Politically correct? Or say what you think?

Read time: 3 minutes

Read online

Good evening, 66.1ers. 

Went on a hunt today. Big, 5th generation Montana ranch. The patriarch greeted us with, “Tell me a story and it better be a f*cking good one.” 

Kinda fun, huh? When’s the last time you met someone for the first time and they talked to you like that? He’s doing things the old fashioned way: public hunting access and saying what’s on his mind. No games, just common sense. Ever spent time around people who just say what they think? Fun? Impolite? Something else?

It seems that there are three ways to go on this topic: 

1. Never say anything bad, ever
   Think “politically correct”. You don’t tell people that they’re messing up (even if they are!) because you don’t want to hurt their feelings. Don’t badmouth people when they’re not around to defend themselves. Takes a lot of discipline and even if you’re disciplined, isn’t that kind of a lot of brainpower you’re using to make sure your thoughts don’t see the light of day?
   

2. Say what you’re thinking, always
   Might result in some heated conversations with people you care about, but isn’t this better than silently resenting them, only to explode at them much later, leaving them confused and you with high blood pressure because you walk around all day with your thoughts banging around inside your head? 
   

3. Talk about people behind their back
   Not cool to say harsh stuff to their face because it might hurt their feelings. But you still think it! So you talk about them in their absence. That talk diminishes your subconscious image of them and erodes your relationship. Not cool.

I’ve been paying close attention to a few people who fall into the second bucket lately. Particularly, how (if) this trait relates to longevity. Is there some value in just saying what you’re thinking, not letting it rattle around in your brain? Less stress, healthier relationships, something else? 

I don’t have a study to support my theory (yet, I’ll do some reading), but I’m thinking there’s something here. I’ve noticed lately a few people who have outlived expectations, given the poor genetic hand they were dealt. And they seem to be the types of people who just say what they’re thinking, rather than bottling it up and letting it turn into an ulcer…

Or maybe I’m off my rocker?

A couple more before we go…

Was listening to the movie “The Secret” yesterday. All about mindset and getting your head right so you can build the life you want. A couple lessons stood out: 

1. It’s gotta be fun!

   
   Whether you’re trying to get rich, skinny, or change your relationship status from “single” to something else, if you’re not having fun, who’s going to want to join that party? Do the things you need to do to put a smile on your face, and keep doing them. Fitness journey? Can you do it with people who make you smile? Play more of whichever sport it is that you love to play? Less calorie counting and workout optimizing, more fun!
   

2. The universe rewards speed

   
   Whatever you’re doing, it’s going to go better if you default to action. Got an idea, think it could be good? Go for it! Ask for the first date, join the gym, apply for the job. If it sucks, don’t keep going with it. But now you know. Do this over and over again and eventually you’ll learn what works for you and what doesn’t.

Going to leave it there for this week.
Have a question? Send a reply here.
Otherwise, have fun out there. 

Marcus