Squeaky Wheel

My Grandma, Alberta always says, “the squeaky wheel gets oiled.”

I’m guessing she had to learn that the hard way because she is not the type of woman to complain or ask for special favors.  She’s the ultimate do-it-yourself gal.  I suppose that comes hand in hand with a dash of German stubbornness and a heaping spoonful of a strong & beautiful sense of self.  But somewhere along the road, Grandma learned she had to speak up (like a squeaky wheel) to get things done and to have her needs met.  She  has since imparted the wisdom and I’m grateful for it!

I’m still learning how to speak up or squeak to:

get what I need,

state what I want,

and share what I think.

Lately, I’ve been doing a decent job of it but I’m finding that sometimes (often times) you have to squeak more than once.  There are several cases in which you will have to squeak, “a-hem“, raise a finger, squawk or even down-right stand up on a table about 5-7 times before you get a response.  Sometimes you’ll have to repeat the process even longer.

Oye…I don’t like it.  I don’t like fighting to be heard.  I prefer small gatherings to large, boisterous groups dominated by the loudest and craziest person in the room.  Maybe it’s unrealistic of me, but I figure if someone really cares what I’m thinking, they’ll ask.  I don’t need to fling myself out into the grinding pit of social gabbers and grabbers to be heard.  But – if what I have to say or offer is really valuable, shouldn’t I try – at least a little bit?

Here are 6 plausible reasons to squeak or Speak UP:

1. to share a belief or a desire for change – one might call this ‘sticking your neck out’
2. to stand-up to injustice against yourself or another person or group of people
3. to state your needs in a relationship (personal or work related)
4. to clarify what you want or prefer in a certain situation
5. to let them know you are here, available and have something wonderful to offer!
6. to affirm your ambition to join in the game – raising your hand always raises your chances of getting picked for the team

People are really busy nowadays.  I don’t know if we are productively busy or just over stimulated.  Probably a mixture of both.  I for one have a hard time getting back to emails and phone calls.  If I expect my friends and family and even work associates to understand and not take it personal,  I too should understand that everyone else is busy (or over stimulated.)  If I don’t hear back from someone, perhaps I’ll just try again and not take offense.  I’ll also try to stop my mind from creating a scenario where their lack of response is a passive and un-spoken rejection.  Such as “I don’t like you therefore I won’t respond to you” or “I will ignore you and therefore you will go away.”

I fear a negative response (it’s human) – BUT a negative response is better than no response.  No response means a person is just busy and you should try try again (and again and again) until you get a response.  Whether the response is positive or negative – it’s what you’re looking for!  It will either tell you, yes I will proceed with this person or this avenue of approach to accomplish one of the 6 things above!  Or the response will tell you, okay – I can check this person/avenue off my list and look for an alternate route.  No biggie!

When you get the response – positivie or negative – your path will become clearer!  So… squeak, “a-hem“, raise a finger, squawk or even down-right stand up on a table until you get a response  And always be sure to be kind and professional while doing so.

Tantrums don’t have a really great return on investment.  Nor does stalking or spamming, i.e. calling every day or emailing every day.  But a professional and respectful approach is a wonderful thing to repeat in reasonable intervals.

For someone who is not naturally a squeaky person, I’m definitely reaping the benefits even if it’s uncomfortable at times.  No one wants to be a nuisance, but as I said – if you have something wonderful to offer OR if you need to better your situation or the circumstance of another,  it’s worth the squeak.  Speak up – you’re worth it!

What’s a nugget of wisdom you’ve learned from a grandparent?

Liberate Your Art

Orange Butternut Squash

Fell in love

A Taste of

The One You

the Opportunity Clock

Letter From a

FREE POSTCARDS! You’ve

Spaghetti for Breakfast

Stuck Between Stations

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1. 

   Brianna says:

   March 24, 2011 at 3:10 am

   Why is it so hard to learn to speak up for some of us? And it’s such an important skill to have!
2. 

   Brianna says:

   March 24, 2011 at 3:10 am

   P.S. I love the picture of Grandma!
3. 

   Mattson Tomlin says:

   March 24, 2011 at 5:07 am

   I thought all of your “ahem”s “fingers” and “squaks” were going to be hyperlinks to the last few emails you have sent me that I have not yet returned!
4. 

   Makie says:

   April 25, 2011 at 2:04 pm

   @Brianna – I don’t know, but I’m working on it! Yes, me too – love this photo!

   @Mattson – you are very perceptive “ahem!” haha. Don’t worry – you’re not the only busy one
5. 

   Shelly says:

   April 28, 2011 at 12:10 pm

   I love this picture of Grandma too. What a lady.
   Makie, you are quite a lady too. I know, you know, how to stand up for yourself and make yourself be heard.
   And you are worth it!
6. 

   James says:

   July 21, 2011 at 7:50 pm

   My mom always said the same thing! I too never liked to speak up! it always felt like I was complaining and that was never the person I wanted to be seen as!

   I don’t know who said it, but I always remember being told in sports not to worry about the loud ones! Its the quiet guys that you need to worry about!

   I like quiet! It might take longer to get noticed, but there is no mistake about who you are when you do get noticed!

   love the blogs Mak!
7. 

   Makie says:

   July 22, 2011 at 4:34 pm

   Thanks James! I’ve always been a strong believer that slow and steady (and confidently calm) wins the race! I just have to make myself speak up sometimes. And thankfully I’m beginning to realize it’s a positive thing! Miss ya!