I needed to fix something in the house, and I needed help fixing it. I called a company with a good product, service, reputation, and price. The sales representative I talked to was helpful. When I had one question that required a manager’s assistance, the representative transferred me to him.

The manager who picked up the phone wasn’t very friendly. He wasn’t thrilled to answer questions, and his responses were a little curt. That didn’t stop me from asking politely every question on my list. In the end, I was happy with his answers, and I ordered the product and service I needed.

A critical aspect of

The Law of the Garbage Truck is

to distinguish between making judgments and having preferences,

and always focusing on what matters.

I prefer people to be friendly in a business transaction. I see positive human interaction as an opportunity to spread goodwill in the workplace and in the world.

However, not all people who do good work are friendly—no matter their reason. So rather than judge them as “not nice people” or “not good guys,” I focus on their ability to do the job right. I need their help fixing my problems; they are not required to be my friends. Now, if I have two companies to choose from and they’re equal in all measures, I will choose the more friendly one. That’s my preference.

Having preferences is natural. It’s part of being human. Act on them if they’re important to you. However, be sparing in your judgments. You can prefer something—and act on that preference—without judging others too harshly.

This week notice when you start judging people. Recognize when what you’re really expressing is a preference, and refrain from turning it into a judgment. This is what living The Law of the Garbage Truck is all about.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

All the best,

http://www.davidpollay.com/index.html

Stay up with us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/thelawofthegarbagetruck

Sign up for our newsletter for helpful insights from The Law, and the latest updates:

http://www.davidpollay.com/contact.html

Share/Bookmark

I think about this every day:

Don’t protect your comfort.

Expand your comfort zone.

Too many people are in the “hunker down – the economy is terrible” mode.  This is not the time to retreat.  It’s the time to ask more of yourself.

Find ways of giving more to others; look for opportunities to contribute to their well-being.  When you help others, you make the world a better place … and the research confirms you’ll increase your happiness.

I believe deeply that good things cycle around to people who approach life in this abundant way.  In The Law of the Garbage Truck book, I call it contributing to the “Gratitude Cycle.” (pp. 120-129)

We can do it: Let’s expand our comfort zone and achieve more this year.

All the best,

p.s. Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends celebrating in the U.S.

Stay connected to The Law of the Garbage Truck movement on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/thelawofthegarbagetruck

Sign up for our newsletter for helpful insights from The Law, and the latest updates:

http://bewareofgarbagetrucks.com/forms/news-sign-up.htm

Share/Bookmark

I was driving in the middle lane.  There were two left lanes for the entrance to the highway. I needed to move into one of them.  I looked in my side-view mirror before turning.  There was just one car coming up in the distance.  I had plenty of room.

As I turned into the lane, I  could see that the driver of the car was now speeding up.  He was bearing down on me fast.

Thankfully, there was another lane to the left, so I started to move into that lane to get out of his way.  But the driver of the other car sped up even faster and turned into the far left lane as I was moving there. When I saw him make his move, I yielded and let him take the far left lane.  Okay, fine.  I know The No Garbage Trucks! Pledge.  So, I said The Pledge in brief: “I do not accept garbage. I do not dump garbage.”

Then, the light turned red, and I stopped. I was six cars back in my lane.  He had only one car in front of him in his lane.  But, rather than pull up ahead, he stopped alongside me.  He was mad about something, and he wanted to get into it with me.  I kept focused on what was important to me, and I did not take his bait.  I followed The Law of the Garbage Truck.

The other driver was a Garbage Truck, and I didn’t need to internalize his frustration and anger.  So I thought to myself, “just smile, wave and wish him well” as we do in The Pledge.

A long twenty seconds passed, and the driver pulled forward.  We never saw each other again, and the world was a better place because we did not escalate a potentially dangerous situation.

Stay connected to The Law of the Garbage Truck movement on Facebook.

Sign up for our newsletter for helpful insights from The Law, and the latest updates.

Share/Bookmark

If you don’t want to suffer the negative impact of Garbage Trucks at work, have clear goals.

Garbage at work can emerge when you and your boss are not clear on shared goals.

If you work for a boss who is unclear about their expectations of you, don’t let it turn into emotional garbage that weighs you down (frustration, disappointment, judgment, etc.).

Don’t guess or assume why your manager does not communicate more effectively; that will not help you.  Instead, draft your own goals and present them to your manager at the right time (when they have the time and attention to review them with an open mind).

Be respectful.  Be patient.  And be persistent.  Don’t give up until you are on the same page with your boss about what you must achieve to be successful at work.

Stay connected to The Law of the Garbage Truck movement on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/thelawofthegarbagetruck

Sign up for our newsletter for helpful insights from The Law, and the latest updates:

http://bewareofgarbagetrucks.com/forms/news-sign-up.htm

Share/Bookmark

Don’t create your own garbage (the 2^nd Commitment of The Law of the Garbage Truck) at work, at home, in school, and in everyday life by not asking questions.

Don’t hide behind a mask of knowing if you’re not sure what you’re doing.  Put away the mask and ask questions that will help you perform.

What questions do you have?

We only suffer when we put our energy into protecting our image.  Better to learn substantively than to look good superficially.

People will respect your questions when they perceive your humility in asking them.  You communicate that you need and appreciate help.

People will also be glad to help you when they know that you are determined to perform at your highest level when you have the information you need.

Asking questions is a sign of strength.

Stay connected to The Law of the Garbage Truck movement on Facebook.

Sign up for our newsletter for helpful insights from The Law, and the latest updates:

Share/Bookmark

We met Peter Frampton last week! It was a great way for Dawn and me to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary.

Peter is a supporter of The Law of the Garbage Truck and my mission to increase happiness, success and civility in the world (that’s so cool, and I’m so grateful).

Peter Frampton, Dawn & David J. Pollay, author of The Law of the Garbage Truck

After his amazing concert, Peter invited Dawn and me to visit with him backstage. He’s an awesome musician, and a great guy (and his band and team are tremendous).

Thanks, Peter!

Have a Garbage Free Day!™

David

p.s. Peter’s manager, Lisa Jenkins, is wonderful, too.

Stay connected to The Law of the Garbage Truck movement on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/thelawofthegarbagetruck

Sign up for our newsletter for helpful insights from The Law, and the latest updates:

http://bewareofgarbagetrucks.com/forms/news-sign-up.htm

Share/Bookmark

My wife was driving the speed limit the other day with our little girls in the car when a car suddenly pulled up right behind them and started tailgating.  Dawn did not recognize the car or the driver—the person was so close you could see his face—but she could make out the scowl on his face.

Dawn checks her speedometer.  She is going just a few miles over the posted speed limit.  And with no warning, the other driver whips his car around the side of Dawn’s and speeds in front of her.  But, rather than head straight down the street, he turns left—get this—right into our development.  It gets better.

The driver has to slow down because of all the speed bumps.  Dawn is now behind him smiling.  He keeps driving, and with every speed bump he encounters, he gets closer to our home.

Finally, he stops.  You won’t believe it.  He parks in the street just three houses away.

Dawn just smiles as she and the girls get out of the car.  He practically hides as he rings the door bell to the other house (the way some people cover their head after they’ve been arrested).

Dawn followed The Law of the Garbage Truck.  She did not judge him.  She did not condemn him.  She just let him pass by with a smile, and good wishes.  (Who knows why he felt he had to drive so fast and dangerously?)

The key is that his behavior was not a burden Dawn needed to carry.  And neither did she need to pass on the bad driver’s negative energy to our girls.

Can you relate to this?  Do you have similar stories?

Have a Garbage Free Day!™

David

www.facebook.com/thelawofthegarbagetruck

Sign up for our newsletter for helpful insights from The Law, and the latest updates:

http://bewareofgarbagetrucks.com/forms/news-sign-up.htm

Share/Bookmark

When someone you don’t know dumps on you, do you judge them?

If you do, why? How does it serve you? Does it make you feel better? Does it help them?

Offer instead what I call in The Law of the Garbage Truck, “real-time forgiveness.”

When you don’t know the person who dumped on you, and they’re no longer in your life (a passing driver, customer service representative, sales clerk, etc.), just let their actions pass by.

Stay focused on what you’re doing. Don’t get distracted by their attitudes and behaviors. It is self-defeating to personalize their negativity. It helps no one. Why take on pain that’s not yours to feel?

Forgive them for dumping on you. Their behavior reflects their concerns, not yours. And most of the time, Garbage Trucks don’t even realize how much they’re dumping. As we say in The No Garbage Trucks! Pledge, just “wish them well, and move on.” And do it without judgment.

Offer real-time forgiveness, and savor the peace you feel each time you do.

Have a Garbage Free Day!™

David

Stay connected to The Law of the Garbage Truck movement on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/thelawofthegarbagetruck

Sign up for our newsletter for helpful insights from The Law, and the latest updates:

http://bewareofgarbagetrucks.com/forms/news-sign-up.htm

Share/Bookmark

One of the most beautiful sounds in the world is the sound of gratitude.

Hearing someone express gratitude is a gift to the world.

When two people exchange the blessing of thanks, the world if uplifted.

Listen for these moments when people warmly—even if with some vulnerability—tell others that they matter, and that they’re appreciated.

Savor the sound.

Then look for your own opportunities to contribute your voice to the sound of gratitude.

Thank you for supporting my mission to take The Law of the Garbage Truck message around the world.

   If you would like to receive our free The Law of the Garbage Truck™ newsletter, click here.

Share/Bookmark

Thank you for staying connected with me on Facebook while I have been traveling!  You have been great, and I appreciate your support.

There is so much happening around The Law of the Garbage Truck.  I want to tell you it all.  But rather than pull out the fire hose and include it all in one update, I’m jumping back on the blog to share updates and insights from The Law of the Garbage Truck.  Stay tuned!

Did I tell you that The Law of the Garbage Truck has now been translated into ten languages, and more are on the way?!  Cool, right!  And thanks so much for making it all possible.

Sending big hugs to all!

David

Share/Bookmark