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This new year, get your apologies made!
By Lauren | January 2, 2009
It’s a brand new year, and time for us all to make our resolutions. This tradition dates all the way back to ancient Rome, where it was customary to begin the new year by paying old debts, forgiving loans, freeing slaves, and otherwise agreeing to make peace. This lovely tradition allowed everyone to start the new year with a fresh, clean slate.
Not a bad idea at all.
In our modern age, resolutions tend to focus on self-improvement: losing weight, exercising more, quitting smoking, paying off credit cards, that sort of thing. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to improve oneself but, to paraphrase English poet John Donne, no one is an island. An individual can be as close to perfect as possible alone but, without good relationships, still be very unhappy indeed.
So, this new year, why not take a moment to think about whom you’ve offended in the last little while. Did you apologize to that person? If so, are you back on good terms? If not, what are you waiting for? If you’re not sure how to go about saying you’re sorry and making things right, visit www.artoftheapology.com, where you can download a free chapter of my book, The Art of the Apology, and start renewing and strengthening your relationships with your family, friends, co-workers and customers.
Happy new year!
Topics: Business Ethics |