Interestingly one of the new blogger friends asked me some tips about how to talk less, as I had written in my profile introduction that I talk a lot and I am trying to curb that. First of all, I am not at all sure that I have succeeded a lot in talking less :), so I wonder if I can actually offer some tips. But, as usual, I can offer some advice. No, not advice, but as a wise friend says information, you can use anything that you feel is of value here.
I have realized that sometimes when one talks a lot when the other one is relatively quiet, the talkative one tends to give out some information which was not required but which if picked up by the attentive one could actually be detrimental to the talkative one. Did you follow what I just wrote? I meant that be careful in social situations, social forums, gatherings that you do not speak unnecessary things. They could be misinterpreted or worse used against you at a later stage. How to curb this habit? Listen! Very crucial — listen to what the other one is saying and analyze in your head.
Seek your recognition elsewhere. When someone is saying something, do not cut in rudely and start narrating how wonderful you have been in a similar situation. Those who talk more always have something to boast of :).
Remember that words said wrongly can cause a lot of hurt. There is a very thin line between being blunt and frank. Most people in the garb of being frank actually say cutting stuff. I am thankful to a friend of mine from my MBA days who walked up to me one day and said “Rachna, it is really quite nice that you can express yourself so nicely. But, you really can be rude at times. You can be a much better person if you work on that.” Who wouldn’t cherish such friends? That really made me sit up and take notice, and believe me, I have worked very hard to cut out the caustic from my talk.
But, one saving grace is that I am great at communication. I don’t believe in talking behind someone’s back. You can tell me to my face that you don’t like something about me, and I can take it pretty well. I also have no qualms in talking and sorting out my issues — No egos come in the way there.
Hey, and blogging helps. All that would come out of my mouth is sort of getting diverted in my writing. That satisfies my urge of talking non-stop :). Feel free to add your two cents to what I wrote whether you agree or disagree.
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