I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure
By p1kef1sh
@p1kef1sh (45681)
August 12, 2008 12:44pm CST
Do you have a character trait that you simply cannot stand. Do you dither? Jump in without thinking? Always apologise when it's not your fault. Think the worst of people or interrupt or finish other peoples sentences. What is your greatest failing and are you doing anything about it?
14 people like this
35 responses
@soooobored (1184)
• United States
12 Aug 08
I think too much. About everything, all the time. And it's really really annoying for me and the people around me.
But all of my "weaknesses" have a correlating strength, ie above. I can't make a simple decision without going around and around with it in my head for hours, but at the same time I can creatively solve problems because (given enough time) I can understand them in great detail and see alternative solutions.
So ultimately, I don't have any weaknesses I would want to give up, because then I would also be losing some strengths!
4 people like this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
12 Aug 08
Now I have to think hard. LOL. I see what you mean. I tend to make swift decision, unless I need lots of facts, but there are times when all that you can do is mull it over. But I agree with you, it's not a real weakness as ultimately the "dithering" aids sensible decision making.
3 people like this
@Munchkin547 (2778)
•
12 Aug 08
Hi there! I am a really big ditherer, it takes me ages to decide, for example, which brand of washing powder to buy in the supermarket, i think things through far too much! hehe I always apologise when i haven't done anything wrong too, i hear it come out of my mouth and think "why are you saying that?!?!" especially when people walk into me because they're not looking where they're going - why am i apologising? how is that my fault?! lol just habit i suppose! I also end up apologising for things just to keep the peace i hate arguments and confrontation! sometimes i think i should be a bit more decisive and assertive but that's just not who i am, i get along just fine so am not going to try to change!! happy mylotting! xx
3 people like this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
12 Aug 08
Are you the sort of clothes shopper that visits every shop and ten, two hours later goes back to the first shop and buy the dress that you saw first? Or is that just women generally? LOL. I think lots of us are like that Munchkin. I am always apologising for things I didn't do.
2 people like this
@Munchkin547 (2778)
•
13 Aug 08
That's exaclty what i do, i like to be sure i've got the one i really like so i have to check out all of the options first! not sure if that's just me or women in general!! Well it's good to know that i'm not alone on the apologising for nothing front!!! take care xxx
2 people like this
@peaceful (3294)
• United States
12 Aug 08
My greatest flaw is in the process of becoming a thing of my past...
I used to be simply too generous and accomodating to people that seemingly have no positive strengths or resources of their own... Or the will to utilise resources that I graciously provided to them... WTF is that all about?
NO MORE! This has been a "No Longer Public Service Announcement" ! LOL! :)
3 people like this
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
12 Aug 08
According to my offspring, I don't remember things they told me five minutes ago. Nor do I remember what I've already told them, so I'm always repeating myself. With four kids, it's actually hard to remember who I told the news to, so I do tend to double (triple?) up sometimes. There's a lot of eye-rolling and gnashing of teeth. On their part. My own eyes and teeth are past it.
3 people like this
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
12 Aug 08
In my life I have found a few character traits that I have that I really wish could change. They are aggravating to me and probably other people. I am not a very "pushy" or aggressive person by nature and I do not know how to use the word "no" when I need to.
My husband has a way of pointing out to me some of these things about my character and I believe he makes a good point. He is not afraid to tell you how he feels. I wish I could be like that more often.
This kind of behavior that I portray has gotten me taken advantage of for far too long from people.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
12 Aug 08
Get yourself on an assertiveness course or at least buy a good self-help guide. I had the same problem when I became a manager for the first time. I had to sack someone that I had not even met! My senior manager made it clear to me that either she went or I did. I got tough. It was horrible but you soon learn that you can say no and that people don't immediately think that you are letting them down. Good luck.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
12 Aug 08
I abhor misunderstandings and I go to great lengths to avoid them. This sometimes make me appear weak and indecisive. At times, I tolerate things as much as I can. That's why when I explode, it would be more intense because of the pent up emotions I keep inside me for very long periods of time. I know this is not good so I try to be frank now and tell people immediately what I have in mind.
3 people like this
@nannacroc (4049)
•
12 Aug 08
Saying what I'm thinking is my biggest fault and some people get upset about it. Another thing I do, which I shouldn't, is decide not to understand what has been said and pursue a different angle from what the other person wanted to say. what
@nannacroc (4049)
•
12 Aug 08
Are you implying I would do anything just to annoy? As if.
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
12 Aug 08
Well my biggest downfall is being to darn sensitive and the other one is letting People hurt me
As for jumping in with both feet and then apologizing well yes I have done that a few times to and I do my best now to try and not do that
As for the other 2 Faults well I guess I am stuck with them ones
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
12 Aug 08
HI p1,
Hmmm....I guess my major weakness is I hold grudges to people who hurt me...As much as I want to eliminate it but I can't stop feeling this way when I have a friend whom I trusted a lot and then will just backstab me...I want confrontation and I am very open about criticism as long as it will be address to me..So, I got 2 close friends this time whom I am not talking anymore..I know it's not good to hold grudges but I don't like them to hurt me again and I don't like me to trust them again so, for me, It's better to just forget them and move on in my life!
2 people like this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
12 Aug 08
Yea..it's really great not to experience such but when it is too hard and the impact is very painful, I will! Thanks p1~
2 people like this
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
13 Aug 08
I'm not very patient and never have been. I've been working on this all of my life. I'm particularly inpatient with people who have no common sense, or - in business - those who offer no customer service.
2 people like this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
13 Aug 08
Now I struggle with the poor customer service thing. A couple of years ago a large group of us went out for lunch. We had pre-warned the restaurant and even chosen our meals from an advance copy of the menu so that the kitchen could get a head start for when we arrived. This was at the restaurant's request. We arrived and the drinks order went well. Then the first meals started to appear. "Don't wait for us" called the as yet non-eaters. So those people with food started to eat. In fact they finished their meals before there was any sign of the others meals. At last two plates appeared. I asked to speak to the manager. "What for?" asked the waitress. "I wish to discuss today's service" I replied. "Not my fault" says she. "Please fetch the Manager" says I. Anyway she was obstructive. So I said that I would go find him myself. At that she scuttled off and found him. I explained that we had booked, pre-ordered and yet they still hadn't managed to get our food here on time. The attitude of the waiter hadn't helped either. He immediately sent a a free round of drinks and when I got to the till to pay there was no bill! A good result. Must have been sobering for him as there were about 15 of us!
2 people like this
@Fryediddy (127)
• United States
13 Aug 08
I am a habitual procrastinator. It's amazing that I got around to posting to some discussions tonight instead of waiting for tomorrow to do it. It tends to bite me in the butt everyday. I always have the feeling that I don't get anything done yet I can't get myself to just go ahead and do them. I always feel like I can do it later. Or better yet, do it tomorrow.
Recently I decided to start making lists of things that need to do. Who doesn't like to look down at a list at the end of the day and see everything crossed off? It's great to have visual confirmation at the end of the day that the day's tasks were completed. I also love the feeling of accomplishment, knowing I've been productive and done something meaningful. I'm hoping it's that feeling that can get me to overcome that urge to put off things.
You know what, maybe I'll go ahead and write tomorrow's list. No, I can do it tomorrow.
2 people like this
@moneyandgc (3428)
• United States
13 Aug 08
My anxiety tends to cause me to overanalyze everything.
Sometimes when I tell my husband my "conclusion" he looks at me and says, "How in the &^$* did you come up with THAT?" One thing leads to another, which leads to another, which reminds me of something else.... Then before I know it I am mad at him about something he may or may not have done 5 years ago. Bad, I know.
I can also be pretty pessimistic about things. I think I am being a realist but he tells me I am being a pessimist. Sometimes it is a bit of both though.
I am getting better with all of it though. I am going to the therapist even though I don't really want to. I also decided to go back on the meds that I stopped taking when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter. She is over two now. They have helped immensely!
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
13 Aug 08
I thought the female half of all relationships was like your first paragraph!! LOL. I suffer from anxiety based depression. I'm clinically more anxious than I am depressed. So I brood. See the glass half empty and a myriad other things. Trying to think positively helps. Now I know that I am POSITIVELY anxious and stressed about things!! I may have misunderstood what I'm supposed to do with positive thinking. OMG. What if I have. What shall I do.....LOL.
2 people like this
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
13 Aug 08
i can look at a problem from every angle which makes making a decision hard since i can understand all sides.. its good to have but takes me forever before i decide which is right and which isnt.. i also care for people too much (as in i worry about if every one is ok etc) and stress too much lol..
2 people like this
@koharukusumi (1539)
• Malaysia
13 Aug 08
Hey there, my personality trait that bugs me th most is that I can't show my anger. When I am angry I just keep quiet because I do not wish to look ridiculous being angry. The effect of this is that most of my anger remains in my heart for a long time and I do not even cry when I am sad. This trait had made me a person that a lot of people take advantage of including my friends. I already took a big step in this in which I eliminate all friends who exploited me for my kindness.
2 people like this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
13 Aug 08
I think that many of us conceal our anger and irritation. I struggle to get angry at all. Ten when I do, the reaction is usually disproportionate to the offence caused. I think that it good that you are able to see those that use you instead of those that want to be your genuine friend.
2 people like this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
13 Aug 08
Oh my pikey, I have alot of bad traits or faults as you call
them. I am extremely indecisive. I am a Libra, that is one
of my character traits. I always have a habit of interrupting
people when they are speaking. I am very impatient. I am
not good at waiting for things to happen. I have a low
tolerance for everything. Gee, I think that about sums it up!
2 people like this