JVD - @josephdworak

Do you ever try and talk with someone and they clearly are just trying to get through the conversation with you?  I am not talking about having good boundaries and knowing when someone has somewhere to be, but rather the person you are talking with exudes, “I am too busy to deal with you right now.”  

Everyone is busy.  Anyone I ask - I am so busy.. etc. etc.  So, ok, we are all busy.  I get it.  Maybe we should be less ‘busy,’ that is for another post.  

My admonition to you today:  No matter how busy you are stay engaged with someone who is trying to communicate with you.  I think you will be better off.  

 

Lately I have been reminded of a necessary Emotional Intelligence skill:  If something triggers your emotions, wait a bit to respond to whatever is coming your way.  This is not my own new idea, but rather something I have learned from mentors and reading about EQ.  (Emotional Intelligence)

I have learned this the hard way sometimes in life where I responded quickly to a statement, email, interaction or whatever.  Responding emotionally makes you lose your edge in the situation.  So, what should you do?

1.  Breathe

2.  Still feel hot?  Wait, do not respond

3.  Wait as long as it takes to have a clear head

4.  Maybe ask someone to review your response after you have a cool head

5.  Respond

Sometimes you do not have the luxury of waiting to respond, in that case as least do step one.  If you do have time, take your time and respond without too much emotion.  Emotions make us lose our clear head - Passion is good, but not always the best when responding to someone else.

The funny thing is, most times the person who is communicating with us would be shocked if they knew you were having an adverse reaction to what they were trying to communicate.  

One last thing, as much as possible, get the conversations off email and talk to the person face to face or on the phone.  

This post is a reminder to myself as much as any of you.