When people come to you with something important, what is your default response? Do you offer advice? Tell a story about when that happened to you? Chime in with all your relevant life experience?
Shhhhhhh
What if, instead of talking, you resolved to listen? Let your friends and colleagues get all the way through what they want to share before jumping in. Ask a few questions to help you understand, and maybe help them create a little new awareness.
We all have our moments when we need to talk less and listen more. I have to remind myself that every time someone tells me something, that it doesn’t mean they want me to coach them through it! Sometimes they just want to tell me the story, laugh (or cry!) together, and connect.
Make Space for Balance
If you are doing all the talking, then most likely you are getting what you want and need out of the conversation. But what about the other person?
BALANCE is one of the six practices of being Thoughtfully Fit. It is about making sure you honor their wants and needs as well as your own. If you don’t, the relationship will be out of balance. And that never feels good.
This week, if you notice yourself taking over, PAUSE and make space for the other person.
Don’t Be a Narcissist
Worried you might be a conversational narcissist? Watch this video to find out. If the shoe fits, then it’s just time to try on more listening and less talking.
