Our own opinion about something can be easily shattered by hard data if we only trust our "guts" to defend our points of view. And nothing upsets people more than the brutal truth when it crashes directly and at a 100 mph against our big mouth and small brains.
And even though sometimes we may have data to defend our ideas, we really need to make daily check ups on our convictions and on our sources, because this world changes so fast, that maybe when you finish reading this post I may have regret writing it, because it got old, so please read it at full speed (I am kidding, people!).
A crazy reaction towards hard and confronting data, is entering into a state of stubborn denial. I call it, entering "Denial Town". Several stages can be observed when becoming a member of this special little place:
1) Physical reaction: Members of "Denial Town" will certainly show the next synthoms: Red face, sweaty hands, severe feelings of awkwardness and self conciousness, heat coming from the stomach going up the esophagus and exploding in verbal outburst;There may be other signs of anger and resentment versus the holder of the correct data, such as screaming, shouting or, in severe cases, punches in the face..
2) Emotional Reaction: Denial Town is filled with people who get very easily offended. Crybabies. The inhabitants of Denial Town tend to take everything deeply personal, and they will have resentment and hate feelings against the truth bearer at least for a while (only if they are willing to concede they may be wrong sometimes) or in the worst cases, the hate will last until their last breath is exhaled.
3) Social Reaction. Well, needless to say that people around "Denial Town" representatives will look at them with a face that reads as follow " Oh, my God, what an idiot"
So, if your sales numbers suck, or if an statistics graph gives you the creeps because it doesn't match your personal criteria, it's time to change the way you approach customers ( even if you think of yourself as the big swinging dick of the sales world) and it is also times to review your information sources. The world changes, number and data changes, and even historic data may change, if somebody discovers errors or missing details regarding ancient information.
Keep yourself on your toes and well informed all the time, however, control yourself and shut up when somebody shows you facts that challenge your whole set of ideas and beliefs. Go do some research before saying something stupid. If you find data to challenge your opponent, do so with all your heart. If you find that you are in fact wrong, admit it and get on with your life. Don't make a big deal our if it: It can happen to anyone.
If you visit Denial Town, try to keep your visit short. This is no place to live. If you decide to stay and set home here, you are on your way to lead a miserable life. Don't.
Aureliano García
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