How To STFU

I know, a bit of a strong title. This might be for you or maybe you need to send this to someone. We all have had times when we dominated a conversation. But some people really don’t let or can’t see that they take over in every conversation. So here are some things to look for or think of to see if sometimes you just need to shut your mouth.

Are you letting others say anything

• conversations are two-way, do you even know what the other person said? Or did they actually say anything?

• really listen, not just to respond

Is it helping the situation

• Are things being said over and over, going in circles

• take a breather if need be to see if the conversation is actually going anywhere

Are you giving too much away

• too much unsolicited advice

• you might say something you regret later

• think ‘do they actually need to hear this?’

Staying on topic

• actually talking about what the person wants and not changing it to what you want

• are you helping with the problem