Howdy First name / friend, Say what you mean, and mean what you say. A concept as simple—and as complex—as that. It’s a lofty theme for a little newsletter, and far from claiming to know the secrets of universally good communication, I simply want to bring us back to the idea of language as a tool: a key to expressing both our worldview and our sense of self—and just as powerfully, a way to shape them. |
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So how does this apply when it comes to communicating with others? When we have a clear idea of the outcome we want from a conversation—and then choose our words accordingly—we might be surprised at how much more effective (and peaceful) our communication becomes. |
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Here’s a real-life example of an all-too-recent mistake I made with my daughter. She had just finished cleaning our family car for pocket money. She came in and proudly announced it was ready for a quick look over (she’s the youngest of three—I’ve learned to do quality control before handing over cash). But she was completely dashed when I immediately launched into the things she’d missed, and she stormed off. |
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It didn’t take me long to realise my approach was, to say the least, indelicate. |
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When I sat with her later, I acknowledged the communication error I’d made—no one wants feedback to start with what they did wrong. And I hadn’t even thought to begin with what she’d done well. So, I made an important discovery about my communication style that could be improved. I released myself from harsh self-judgement. I reflected on the outcome I truly wanted (in this case, starting with praise to strengthen her openness to improvement—and a cleaner car!). |
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And now, I set this new intention when giving feedback to my loved ones. Are there areas in your communication that might benefit from a little reflection—and a tidying up of intention? You’ve got this - just remember: - Be open to the idea of doing things differently.
- Don’t beat yourself up, but do set an intention to course-correct—and apologise if need be.
- Be mindful of the outcome you seek, and how best to deliver the message.
- Expect new ways of communicating to feel awkward at first—they’ll become more natural the more you practise, until they’re your new default.
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If you’re finding the reflection part a bit tricky, feel free to revisit last week’s newsletter HERE, where you’ll find a special 6 Minute Moments created just for this series. |
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And if you feel you might need something a little more in-depth, know that I’m here to help when needed. Wishing you wonderful things in the week ahead, |
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Nambour Sunshine Coast, Queensland 4560, Australia |
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