be less defensive

I started working in a new setting this week, and had a project due on Friday. The person responsible for getting me the materials kept dragging her feet on half of it, and finally, at 3PM on Friday I asked her if she thought she was going to get it to me. She said no (she was in the same meeting where I learned of the project and due date). So, I went to my boss and explained I could not get it to him by 5, since I was still waiting on the materials. He went and found her and ripped her a new one. This business of being passive agressive when people irritate me is really quite defensive. After I did it, I saw what I’d done, and realized I should have sat her down and showed her where I was, and how what I was working on was so dependant on her. Probably on Thursday. So, I did something bad, but for a change I saw it and saw how I coud have done better. That is what is so different. There, confession is over.

Part of my being too defensive is that I interrupt people. I am so concerned about what they are saying that I feel like I have to jump in, right in the middle of what they are saying! It is freakin’ rude!