This is a very slightly adapted story lifted from LeaderSavers, a great coaching site. The worrying thing is that this was posted 2 years ago which just shows how far I am behind the curve. Will I ever catch up? Probably not.

2 cabinet ministers sitting in a room discussing affairs of state. Suddenly an aide bursts in shouting and banging his fist on the desk. 'Peter' said the host minister quietly, 'kindly remember rule 6'. Peter was instantly restored to calm, apologised and left. Minutes later another aide rushes in also shouting and ranting. Again came the quiet response; 'Marie, please remember rule number 6'. Marie calmed down and went about her business.

The visiting minister said, 'I've seen many things in my life, never anything as remarkable as this. Tell me, what is this rule number 6?' The host replied, 'It's really very simple; rule number 6 is 'Don't take yourself so d----d seriously'. The visitor pondered and said, 'then what are the other rules?' The host replied, 'There aren't any'.

I'm caught up in some tricky situations right now; I have to keep pricking my own sense of self importance. I can so easily be pompous, egotistic, and self centred. I need to refer to this rule daily, and remind myself of my absolute need to walk in humility, knowing jolly well that once I do start to take myself seriously, I'm no good to anyone. So, it's a good rule for me and possibly for you too. Of course it's not the only rule. Rule 6 originated I believe from The Art of Possibility by Rosamund and Ben Zander. This book is highly recommended for anyone who is struggling with their mindset and coping with relational complexities. The chapter on giving an A and declaring the gold in someone before it's seen is a revelation and very biblical.

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