Resolve a Conflict, Heal a Relationship...

Tips from Heartmath

If your mental engine is revving too fast, it is easy to jump to conclusions or make assumptions that can lead you to thoughts and actions that are distracting and unproductive. The number of times a day you have to shift your mind to understand what people are telling you is enormous.

Discipline yourself - especially in the face of unpleasant news, rumors, or delicate personal issues - to make sure you understand what a customer, colleague or friend REALLY MEANS, rather than just hearing what they are saying.

Hear their tone, pay attention to their body language and trust your intuition more when you feel the words, their meaning and their intent don't seem to line up for you. Repeat back to them the meaning of what they said so you are sure you understand and they have been heard.

And don't be afraid to interrupt the frantic pace - clarity will breathe time saved into your life. What people mean and what they say may not be the same thing, particularly if they are under pressure, angry or confused.

Give them the same benefit of the doubt you would want yourself by caring enough to slow down and verify with them that what you are hearing is indeed what they are trying to communicate. This applies to you listening to yourself also. The clarity will help limit wrong action and show people that you care as much about them as you do about their words.

© Heartmath, www.heartmath.com