Does it Pass the Katie Couric Test?
Unfortunately, understanding how the past creates one’s future isn’t always clear until it is too late. The best thing to do when the past comes back is to admit it. Don’t try to justify your actions, and above all don’t lie about it. The best example I have ever seen about handling one’s past came from the singer/actress Madonna. A news reporter asked her something about her past that wasn’t exactly complimentary. She replied that yes, she had done that and moved on. She didn’t try to explain it, make excuses for it or even lie about it. I thought it was the most honest way to handle a sticky situation without making it worse. With this knowledge of how the past creates my future, when I’m considering whether I should take a certain action or not, I use what I call the Katie Couric test. Before performing a questionable action, I ask myself whether I would want to be on national television being interviewed by Katie Couric and have her ask me a question about what I am thinking of doi
