The following is a list of negative communication habits, check if you or people in your family are using them:
- Swearing or labeling.
- Interrupting a conversation.
- Sarcasm or cynicism.
- Destructive criticism, bugging about the “small stuff” – finding.
- Fault with everything.
- Talking about the past – being a “historian”.
- Barking orders.
- Stopping communication altogether – “I am not speaking to you”.
- Losing control.
10 Habits of Positive Communication
Replace the negative habits with these positive and more efficient skills
- Express anger in the first person: “I” am angry, upset.
- Speak briefly and in a neutral tine of voice.
- Talk about one issue at a time.
- Point out the positive before talking about the negative.
- Listen and think before reacting.
- Be aware of your “automatic negative thoughts”. Before you “shoot” be mindful of your negative thinking and your goals, and react according to the desired results and not as a short term fix.
- Learn to disagree calmly.
- Speak only in the present.
- Apologize, say “I made a mistake” – no one is perfect.
- When you feel like exploding, walk away, distract yourself, or wind down with breathing, EFT Tapping.
Create your plan using these lists:
- How am I communicating today? Which negative and positive communication patterns am I using?
- What can I work on?
- Starting when?
- What may sabotage my attempts? What anger triggers or negative thoughts are particularly difficult to change?
- How will I feel once I have succeeded?
- What resources may I need to help me succeed?
- What are my motivators for making this change?
- Did the plan work?
- If not – how can I improve the plan?
- If you I did succeed – way to go!!!