Everybody occasionally struggles with difficult conversations, but some people do everything they can to avoid conflict. And if you have low self-esteem, it can make dealing with these situations unbearable.
Unfortunately, avoiding difficult conversations doesn’t make them go away. It often just makes things worse.
So how can we have these discussions in a positive and effective way? And can this substantially improve our work and home lives?
Here are 5 ways to make difficult conversations easier.
Identify your Strengths
What are 5 qualities that you like about yourself?
What 5 things that you are good at?
What are you top 3-5 strengths?
What are some past accomplishments you're proud of?
Visualize Positive Conversations
Your mind cannot distinguish between imagination and reality.
Imagine yourself cool and collected during a difficult conversation
Picture yourself in the heat of confrontation.
How do you look, feel, and sound when you are at your best?
Silence your Inner Critic
What's the worst thing that could happen?
What's the best thing that could happen?
Flip the script -- instead of saying--"I'm not good at directions", say "I'm working on being a better driver"
Identify your Values
What are your top 3 values?
How do these effect your expected outcome?
What are you willing to give up? What is critical?
Practice Gratitude
Appreciate all that went well in the conversation
Try to find the opportunity in the outcome
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