It's not intentional- my mind is usually just racing ahead during the conversation and before I realize it, I've done it again- interrupted someone while they were speaking. What are some ways to stop myself?
2007-05-07 02:26:39 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I used to do this all the time. I'd kick myself afterwards but it was like I could not stop myself. What I did was, when the person started talking, I would bite the front of my tongue. Not hard or anything, just soft but enough to make me remember NOT to talk. Then when they stopped, and wanted a reply, I would talk then.
Anyway, after a couple of weeks, I didn't have to do it all the time, and now just occasionally, if I find myself falling into my old ways.
Well, that's what worked for me, anyway! Good luck!
2007-05-07 02:43:11 · answer #1 · answered by thing55000 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My advice would be to stop trying to think of what you're going to say next and really focus on the person who is speaking. Listen to what they are saying, and respond accordingly. Its not a competition its a conversation.
When you constantly interrupt during a "conversation" the interpretation is that; [what this person has to say is not important, and has no value. Its all about me]. When you take the time to really listen and respond after the person has finished speaking you may be amazed at what you actually have been missing out on in your "conversations".
2007-05-07 02:38:32 · answer #2 · answered by Sassy1 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Before even begin interacting with a person, make a conscious intention right now that you're going to be a very good listener during this whole conversation. Make yourself pause a few seconds, and make a note of it to every once in a while reiterate what the person has said to make sure that you really understood it. Even moreso than hearing your point of view the person wants to be understood and accepted for their viewpoints. The usual problem that this is the want of all human beings thus if everyone is talking and nobody is listening, there'll be problems. Make yourself one to reaffirm your own point of view with yourself thereby relinquishing the need for it to be validated by others. This way you can go into a conversation simply to understand and to gain rapport rather than to push your point of view. Not only will doing this make you more likable, but you will find that your interactions have a lot more meaning than they used to. When you're concentrating on what the other is saying and not upon your thoughts, you always make yourself a more peaceful person. Your stress goes down and you'll wind up having a much healthier immune system. To put it plainly, the fastest and easiest way to ever get yourself calm in any situation is to quiet your mind. This is done quite simply by stopping, being silent and for a small portion of time putting your attention on your breath. Sometimes accompanied by taking deeper breaths than usual. Secondly, place conscious attention on your intention. If you want to be a more avid listener, then make sure that that's what you intend even before you speak with anyone. From now on I'm going to intend to be a very avid listener with everyone I'll interact with. And always keep this subtitle in a small place in your mind during the whole interaction, being careful to put it to use rather than to let it distract you from the other's words. Practice makes outstanding. Thus, in time, as you do this you'll notice that your ability to become a very good listener who is very pleasant to converse with. Everything will benefit from that, from your social interactions all the way to your health.
2007-05-07 04:44:27 · answer #3 · answered by Answerer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They say the mind can process ??? times quicker than a word comes out and it's very quick, giving you time to >> to the end of their statement in the first sentence(In your mind that is). I sometimes too. But nowadays I try to make a real effert to try to keep my mouth shut while nodding and etc. to the point where my eye twitches(because they can't get to the friggin' point fast enough!) and I think it's well worth the effort because I absolutely HATE when people do that to me.
2007-05-07 04:16:36 · answer #4 · answered by rob129 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you are aware of what you tend to do, tell yourself the next time you are talking to someone, "wait til they are finished speaking plus 5 more seconds before you speak if they have nothing else to say".
2007-05-07 04:45:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do it to i come from a family of talkers i feel like if i dont say what i want ill never get to say it they jump from one topic to the next before you can speak on the first topic. learn to ask specific questions. listen entirely to question or story. or let them talk they may be just venting and dont want a reply. eye contact and pay attention if you let your mind wonder or start thinking of what to say next you may miss something and your reply may not be relevant. good luck
2007-05-07 03:49:47 · answer #6 · answered by antonique_t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is something I totally understand since I find myself doing this a lot, even at work. I find people talk too slow and say a lot of unnecessary things.
I think patience is the key. I just haven't found them yet. :)
2007-05-07 03:04:00 · answer #7 · answered by njyecats 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listen carefully and wait until the person that is speaking is finished completely before opening your mouth to talk. That or bite your tongue until they are done...=)
2007-05-07 02:36:00 · answer #8 · answered by shorty 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You've already made the first step by recognizing that you have a problem. Ask the Lord to not let you speak unless it is His words that need to be spoken.
The Bible tells us to guard the tongue - in other words watch what we say. You are smart to recognize that you have a problem.
2007-05-07 02:33:06 · answer #9 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
the best way to stop is to give the other person the respect and listen to them.you will also keep more friends.
2007-05-07 02:35:40 · answer #10 · answered by chin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋