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Oct 2, 2022

Hold that thought – three simple words; one underutilized strategy. So often, in an attempt to prove a point, I make things worse by talking. I come by it naturally. My mother once told me, “Dan, God wouldn’t put people in the elevator with you unless he wanted you to talk to them.” The problem is that words have the power to bring out poor behavior in others.

Several times this week I bit my tongue when I wanted to interject my thoughts. It took every ounce of my willpower to inhibit my natural inclination to talk. Of course, I didn’t get to express my opinion, but I’m guessing the people to whom I was talking weren’t open to my feedback at that time anyway.

Input is turned off and output is often turned on when individuals are in a heightened emotional state. So at times we must fight the urge to add our two cents into a conversation, pouring fuel on to an already existing behavioral fire. Sometimes the best response is no response at all.

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