I have started a new practice that has made a substantial positive impact on my life. As a consultant, I’ve always known that my job was to ask good questions and listen intensely. However, in my personal life, I will often give my feedback, opinions, and suggestions without being asked for it! I realized this wasn’t exactly a positive trait.
During the last few months, I have focused on asking myself a few questions before I open my mouth.
- Do I really need to say anything right now?
- Will what I’m about to say add any value to this conversation?
- Do they want my advice or simply for me to listen to them?
- Do I want to be correct, or do I want to be happy?
Just taking a moment to pause and ask these questions has changed how I approach conversations. Carefully thinking about what I plan to say before I say it has cut my comments by 80%. I talk less, listen more, and strive for genuine connection. It makes the discussion much better for everyone involved.
So to finish, let me ask you a question rather than telling you what to do.
Do you think it would be helpful to ask yourself these questions before you start talking?
If you want to get in contact with me, I’d love to hear from you. Please visit my site at https://johnspence.com/contact/ and let me know how I can help.
