Think Before You Speak
“There is a difference between speaking the truth in love and judging someone hypocritically...make sure you know the difference before you speak!”
Thinking before you speak is an important skill to master for all kinds of situations. It can improve your relationships with other people and enable you to express yourself more effectively. Start by using the THINK acronym to decide if what you have to say is True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, or Kind. Then, look for ways to choose your words more carefully, such as by pausing and asking for clarification. You can also think before you speak by using thoughtful communication strategies, such as adopting open body language and focusing on making 1 point at a time. With a little practice, thinking before you speak will eventually become second nature to you.
There are 3Methods of Think Before You Speak
1. Using Think to Filter What you Say
2. Choosing your Words More Carefully
3. Using Thoughtful Communication Strategies
Our parents always told us to choose our words wisely, because sometimes we can’t take them back. This is truer now than ever with social media dominating our communication, both professionally and personally. The second you say something, especially if you are in the public eye, your words can go viral on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, you name it.
Using Think to Filter What you Say?
- Determine if what you want to say.
- Say something if it’s Helpful or stays silent if it’s not.
- Identify whether your comment might be Inspiring to other people.
- Speak if your comment is Necessary.
- Stop yourself from speaking if what you want to say is not Kind.
Choosing your words carefully?
- Listen carefully if you’re having a conversation with someone
- Pause for a minute if you find yourself saying “um” or “uh.
- Clarify what the other person has just said by asking a question.
- Take a few deep breaths or excuse yourself in intense situations.
Using Thoughtful Communication Strategies?
- Stay focused on the conversation by avoiding distractions
- Demonstrate that you’re listening by using open body language.
- Make 1 point at a time and offer additional information only if needed.
- Summarize what you have said if needed and then be silent.