Ask Dr Brothers
Getting the most from yourself
Joyce Brothers
Do you ever work against your own best interests? Here's a chance to find out. Answer honestly, and then compare yours with the "best" answers and the explanations that follow.
1. I'm not afraid of making a joke at the expense of a co-worker, or even a superior, as long as it's funny.
TRUE ( ) FALSE ( )
2. In order to reassure myself that I will know all the answers and do well on a test, I usually sit up studying most of the night before.
TRUE ( ) FALSE ( )
3. Even if I'm trying to impress someone and get him or her on my side, if that person's wrong, I'm not afraid to speak up and let him or her know it.
TRUE ( ) FALSE ( )
4. The first time I go out on a serious date with someone of the opposite sex, I'm totally honest and upfront about all of my personal problems.
TRUE ( ) FALSE ( )
5. I rarely interrupt or contradict anyone in public, even though I might be very close to that person.
TRUE ( ) FALSE ( )
6. I'm ambitious, and there are no limits to my goals.
TRUE ( ) FALSE ( )
7. I'm a self-starter. I know what I want and I know what I know, so I have no need for a mentor.
TRUE ( ) FALSE ( )
8. I've never had major problems understanding others, and I'm usually able to see things from their points of view, even though I might not agree with them.
TRUE ( ) FALSE ( )
ANSWERS:
1. FALSE. If you're interested in getting ahead and you answered "True" to this, you might be making a mistake and working against yourself.
2. FALSE. Studies consistently show that if you get a good night's sleep before an exam or any test for which you need special skills, you'll do much better than if you stay up studying half the night. Insufficient sleep interferes with judgment, creativity, memory and originality.
3. FALSE. Resist the temptation. Sometimes it's far better to say nothing, even if you know you're right.
4. FALSE. This can be overwhelming to someone you've met only recently, and it is more apt to frighten him or her off. Better to let this person discover a few things for himself or herself.
5. TRUE. This is an indication that you're sensitive to the needs of others and can put those needs before your own.
6. FALSE. It's certainly not wrong to be ambitious, but you're much more apt to be able to achieve your goals if you're focused and have set some limitations on them.
7. FALSE. It's the rare individual who can't profit from having a mentor. The fact that you're certain you don't need one might indicate an excess of self-esteem.
8. TRUE. Understanding others and being able to empathize is vitally important to success in any endeavor.
If you answered six of these eight questions correctly, you're better informed than most on this subject.