Responses motivated by anger always end up being responses we regret. Instead of providing an immediate retort to someone else’s communication, people with a Champion Mindset will let things simmer a bit. If you find yourself in a face-to-face exchange where the other person angers or frustrates you, give yourself a timeout before responding.
In fact, a silent response can be deafening. Your angst may be high, but the power returns to you when you think before responding. Here are some tips to help you develop a response to a confrontational or frustrating exchange.
1. Evaluate the intent. Was the other person intending to be confrontational, unkind or rude? If someone is simply being thoughtless, it’s usually not worth the energy required for a clever retort. If a person is really ignorant, it’s likely he won’t understand your response anyway. That will only add to your frustration.
2. Why are you reacting? Was this a poorly timed exchange? Was the drive into the office awful and now you are going to take it out on another person? Perhaps you don’t like the person at all. Nothing they say is going to please you, so don’t spend energy on them. If you really disagree with the comment look for a way to respond without making the other person look stupid.
3. What you say is what you are, so who do you want to be? People will remember your response and rate you as the type of person who would make that type of response. Cruel. Kind. Thoughtful. Crafty. Direct. What kind of person do you want to be remembered?
4. Is your relationship with the other person important? If this person is important to your overall objectives, then don’t belittle them with a trivial or cruel response. It’s fun to be clever, but not at the expense of another’s reputation.
5. Don’t project. This is when you criticize someone for reminding you of something you don’t like in yourself. Often loved ones are the recipient of projected responses. If you feel like criticizing a loved one for a poor job of handling finances, first look at your own flaws in this area. Have you ever balanced your own checkbook?
In a heated conversation or during extremely trying times, it’s very easy to pop-off with a cruel response. Take a deep breath, count to three and evaluate your response or you may regret what comes out of your mouth.
Action Point
Think back on times when you wished to take back what you said. In hindsight, how could you have responded like a Champion?
“Eva Kathryne Gregory is a master coach, Law of Attraction expert, speaker and author. As host of her own radio shows, Eva has interviewed some of the most influential thought leaders today. She has had the honor of sharing the virtual stage as a featured speaker with many experts such as Mark Victor Hansen, Cynthia Kersey, John Assaraf, and Jack Canfield among others. Her latest book, Life Lessons for Mastering the Law of Attraction, co-authored with Jack Canfield, can be found in bookstores everywhere. Since 1999, Eva has followed inner guidance along with her Spirit-Enriched Business System™ to create a multiple 6-figure business. Her passion is teaching spiritual entrepreneurs how to tap into their own inner guidance and merge it with the practical steps to create healthy, six-figure businesses from a place of purpose, passion and prosperity. Get your FREE REPORT: “Massive Success For Spiritual Entrepreneurs” here. Learn more about how Eva can help you at www.EvaGregory.com.
