Uncomfortable conversations.
What would a 5 year old do when she sees another kid with a new toy?
Would they just sit there and think how weird it would be to ask this kid if they can play with their toy?
Somehow, this tendency of just asking what we want goes away as we grow up.
Instead, we get rationalisation. We explain to ourselves why it was a good decision not to go and say “Hi!” to that cute guy/girl. Or why we would not send that email to the person we so want to work with.
In reality, when we stop being sheepish and start taking the initiative, we not only help ourselves but also the other person.
Most of the games in life are symbiotic and both sides lose when we refuse to play.
The uncomfortable conversations are uncomfortable only in our heads. The only out from this discomfort is taking the action.