Think Before You Speak in Communication, 11 Reasons

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Why to think before you speak in communication? Words without thought will cause the speaker to misstate or give the wrong direction. As a result, the listener will apprehend incorrectly and a wrong decision will be committed. This will make the situation worse and unneeded misunderstandings and troubles occur. This article will give you an overview of why to think before you speak in communication. Keep reading.

However, some people do it more regularly than others. And if you want to learn how to think before you speak, you have come to the right place.

Filtering our speech will help prevent the far-reaching negative consequences. As the world grows colder, more callous, and increasingly insensitive, choose to cogitate first and be kind with words. Dare to be different as you explore the importance of taming your haste to speak.

Why to think before you speak in communication

Let’s find 11 reasons why to think before you speak in communication:

1. Words Have the Power to Destroy Relationships

When it comes to relationships, the more unpleasant things you say to another person over time, the more harm you do to them—and to your relationship.

Consider this: would you want to be with someone who continuously called you names and spoke hurtful things to you? Certainly not! Your comments have the potential to completely wreck your relationship.

2. Emotions have the power to make you say things you don’t mean

I’m sure you’ve been furious and said something hurtful to someone. “Gee, I didn’t mean it like that,” you could have thought once you’d cooled down since you think before you speak in communication.

You see, when you’re upset, the rational half of your brain shuts down, and your emotions take over. When your emotional brain doesn’t work as a filter for your words, you may say things you don’t mean.

3. You run the danger of saying something you don’t intend

It’s far more difficult to pick sensible words when you’re stressed, afraid, or angry. There’s also a probability you’ll shout or raise your voice. The rational half of your brain goes down, according to scientists, and the emotional part takes control. At this point, scanning and screening for proper words is no longer an option, making it more likely that you will say something you don’t intend.

You can’t hear yourself while you’re in this phase because you’re so wound up. You lose control of your capacity to check yourself and halt. You only realize you overreacted or acted irrationally after you’ve calmed down. All of this might have been prevented if you had simply stated, “I appreciate what you said, but I’m not in the appropriate frame of mind to reply to you in a loving manner.”

4. You have the opportunity to explain

We interpret what others say depending on our intelligence, life experience, and personal biases. As a result, our interpretations and conclusions about what was stated might differ.

You’ll have a better chance of asking the speaker to explain what was stated if you practice thinking and arranging your response. You’ll reduce the likelihood of responding based on assumptions or retaliating because you misunderstood.

5. You run the danger of alienating individuals

Hashtag. Unfiltered. When I was younger, I lost friends and a fiancé because I didn’t practice filtering my remarks. “Brutal honesty” was how I defended my candor. The problem with harsh honesty is that it can come out as impolite, judgemental, insensitive, or even aggressive.

No one appreciates conversing with someone who is unable to control their speech, whether it is a partner or a friend. When they see you arrive, they’ll avoid responding to your messages or emails, and they’ll put your calls on hold.

It may look cruel, but until you show that you’ve changed, you’ve set yourself up for this sort of treatment. Learn to pause and evaluate your language, as well as recognize when quiet is the greatest medicine. If you really must talk, do so in a kind, sensitive, and caring manner.

6. People can be harmed (or helped) by words

Words have power, as I indicated, and part of that power might be beneficial or “evil.” What you say to someone can emotionally and mentally harm them.

And, according to popular belief, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” words DO hurt. They can, however, be of assistance. As a result, it’s critical to ensure that the words you employ benefit rather than harm others.

7. It gives you a command

Organizing your ideas before speaking has an impact on not just your voice but also your tone and attitude throughout the conversation. You are in authority when you can pause and analyze your own sentiments and state of mind at any given time.

You’re more inclined to speak logically rather than emotionally. If you’re furious, unhappy, upset, nervous, or depressed, you should probably hold off on speaking until you’re in a better mood. When we’re not in a good mental space, it’s tough to think clearly or be calm and sympathetic.

8. It’s possible that you’re overreacting

Our emotions tend to skyrocket when we believe someone has said or done something upsetting to us. Our natural reaction is to erupt if you dont think before you speak in communication.

However, that might be an exaggeration. As I previously indicated, you should instead double-check that what they said justifies your emotional response, because it frequently does not.

9. You will not insult anyone

How many times have you stuck your foot in your mouth and had to apologize? Your cheeks are crimson with humiliation, but it’s too late to backtrack.

You have no choice but to apologize for something you didn’t intend to say. Because I didn’t pause to question myself, “Should I talk or should I shut up?” I’ve upset a lot of people, even loved ones.

I just blurted out anything I was thinking or feeling at the time. Once I recognized the emotional harm I had inflicted, the habit made me feel terrible. As a technique to self-regulate, I began journaling. Taking the time to write down my ideas allows me to analyze, diffuse, and synthesize my thoughts. With the proper mentality, tone, and body language, I can return to the topic later.

10. Your words are a reflection of who you are

My mother instructed me and my sisters not to use foul words when we were younger. I assumed Mom merely wanted us to be ladylike, but there was more to it.

It’s true that being ladylike is a good thing. But she was also teaching us that the words we use shape our personalities. They have an impact not just on yourself, but also on how others see you and what sort of person you are.

11. Other people’s actions can be influenced by what you say

Let’s imagine you’re furious with your 10-year-old daughter and, without thinking about it, you label her “fat.” This is something she could remember for the rest of her life, especially if you say it frequently.

She’s at risk of becoming anorexic or developing another condition. She could start cutting herself out of self-loathing. Words have a long-term impact on the actions of others.

12. You’ll Never Get It Back

You can’t take back what you’ve said after you’ve said it! You will never be able to take it back. Sure, give it a shot, but it’s not going to work.

Attempting to take back what you’ve said is like trying to re-inflate a balloon—it won’t work. No matter how hard you try, those words will remain in the public domain indefinitely.

13. The improper words have the potential to do harm

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me,” as the proverb goes. I respectfully disagree, since you and I both know how words may have a long-term bad impact on our lives. Words, in fact, are potent weapons. “Your words are as sharp as a blade,” my ex used to say.

I was just 25 at the time, but that is no excuse. Oops! You now know why he’s my ex-boyfriend. We now joke about it since he’s made progress. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m still a work in progress to think before you speak in communication.

“I can’t believe I married such a foolish fool like you,” a lady said to her husband once. Ouch! She was clearly enraged. She could have kept silent or said something nice if she had taken a moment to absorb her irritation first. Consider how those statements could have a long-term impact on his self-esteem.

What is the best way for me to learn to think before I speak?

Quick-witted people’s words seem to flow freely from their tongues. They constantly have something to say and are quick to respond. Their brain processes information rapidly, and they’re frequently so eager to respond that they don’t take the time to think about it.

Whatever comes out comes out, and sometimes it’s something you don’t want to say. It’s a natural propensity, so picture how much work it will take to learn not to talk before you think. In a word, it will need a huge mentality shift, but you may achieve it by following the ideas below as a guide.

Make a speech plan: With this method, you can’t go wrong, so think before you speak in communication. Determine what you want to communicate first, then evaluate the substance and context. Consider whether or not what you’re about to say is suitable or useful.

Know your triggers: Figure out what makes you feel the need to express yourself rapidly before even considering what the other person has said. Is it insecurity, rage, a want to be heard, ego, arrogance, defensiveness, or a desire to maintain control? You can activate your internal pause button by identifying your triggers.

Deep breathing forces you to concentrate on the process of breathing, giving you time to gather your thoughts before speaking.

Be considerate: Take into account the current situation as well as the feelings of the other person. That is empathetic behavior. If you don’t have the correct words or acceptable things to say, bite your tongue.

Be present: Pay attention to your ideas as they arrive and go. Recognize that not every notion needs to be expressed verbally. People sometimes just want someone to listen to them and aren’t searching for advice or a reaction. It’s possible that all that’s required here is listening ears and zipped lips.

Pause: Use your internal pause to determine whether or not a reaction is required in the first place. You’ll also be able to suppress the need to say whatever comes to mind initially.

Take away

Finally, if you find yourself with nothing nice or powerful to say, you may always opt to err on the side of caution and remain silent. It’s also a good idea to compassionately put oneself in the shoes of the other person.