I love this poem. It succinctly explains the work of Emotional Intelligence.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS
by Portia Nelson
I
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk I fall in. I am lost … I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes me forever to find a way out.
II
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in the same place but, it isn’t my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.
III
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in … it’s a habit. my eyes are open I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.
IV
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
V
I walk down another street.
January 2nd, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Laura, I could not agree more that this describes emotional intelligence work. And how even when progress is being made, the process sometimes takes a some time and persistence!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
I love the poem too. And yes, it’s really about emotional intelligence.
Going to another street is a great challenge. Most people would rather fall in again and again (and that’s being masochistic) or be creative and find ways of avoiding the hole. Being creative about avoiding the hole is like giving a different taste (everytime one does it) to an otherwise very familiar recipe. And that somehow gives spice to living. Still, it’s the same recipe.
But going by another route is rather scary. I would not know what is beyond the bend. It’s like relocating. Something I had thought of doing since three years ago but haven’t mustered enough courage (and resources) even now to do it!
August 5th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Every time I come across this poem it brings a smile to my face mostly because I can often relate it to a recent personal experience. It is a reminder to me that while focus is a wonderful thing it should not be practiced to the degree that it excludes our being aware of what is going on around us (or right in front of us).