Stop Talking Now
Stop Talking Please. How many times have I seen people look at me and I just know what they are thinking? You’ve guessed it. Way too many. Why me? Looks to me that other people jabber on and never get that look. When I talk it’s different. I had to go inside to find the answers. Turns out I had to go inside my hurt and my emotions that is. Seems like in my role of providing advice, talking is not always the answer. So, I had to think about how I can do better. Here’s what I found:
1. My Timing Stinks.
Once it’s in my brain, it’s on my lips and out of my mouth. I guess that’s what shooting from the hip really is. Without thought or instinct, I blabber it out. Often its too soon. Too soon, because the other person hasn’t finished talking. The other person has not thought through the impact of what they are saying. I am already onto solutions. The other person is just beginning to process what is going on and I am talking about what is going to happen next. Too soon.
2. Too Much. Too Fast.
You know exactly what I mean. It takes me a lot of words to say something that can be put more succinctly. In my defense, they are complicated thoughts and I want to make sure you get the full gist. How can I do that faster? So I start talking faster. That never works. It has the opposite impact.
3. Trying Too Hard.
It’s important to me that you know I understand. As a result, I think about what I want to convey. The t-shirt with the slogan ” Do me a favor. And Stop Talking.” pictured on my blog is about what you want. I really want what you want. So I’ll stop talking now.
What’s Next.
A little reminder that a look inside doesn’t always tell us what we want to hear, but we need to hear it. And then honor it. Now I am really shutting up. Have an easy week.