3 Points to get back on track

How often do you utter words and later, have things drawn to your attention that make you wish you had put your foot in your mouth? It may be that you need to learn to read between the lines. What kinds of reactions could ensure? You might condition a new approach.  Perhaps you could benefit from learning to think more before you speak? Perhaps you know someone who would benefit from guidance? Three points may will get you on the track to expressing more effective communication.

1) Take 3 seconds. Reflect briefly on the idea you plan to share and imagine the potential repercussions. Whether your aim is to help someone else think more before they speak or, help yourself be a better communicator, it makes sense to inhale and exhale.  This will enable you to harness negative emotions that might otherwise prompt you to blurt things out and rub people the wrong way.

2)Learn diplomacy.  Put yourself in the shoes of the person to whom you're speaking. That is, imagine yourself at the receiving end. Ask yourself if what you plan to say would be perceived as constructive, uplifting and beneficial or, would your words be more apt to put another person on the defensive?

3) Seek & retain lessons.  Nothing happens for no reason. Realize your meant to learn something from every person you meet and every dialogue.  If the reactions you get aren't the ones you desire, then this is an opportunity to examine yourself. If other people are the sort who don't think before they speak and don't realize what they say, then they may have entered your life because they need your help.