027 DISAGREEING WITHOUT FALLING OUT

How many times do you find yourself descending into an argument and you can't even remember why you're fighting? This is a life skill that everyone needs but few master – I'm still on the journey too!

So, after a slight near miss recently I was inspired to do this as a podcast as it dawned on me that often during summer holidays, or Christmas, or occasions when we spend prolonged time with each other, sometimes disagreements occur and I thought it might be helpful to address it ahead of time and come up with a strategy that might help so I've come up with a strategy that hopefully will not only help, but also give you a smile every time you remember it – because let's face it, if you're smiling, it's really hard to be angry!

*Listen

*Empathize – empathy is the ability to understand how someone else might feel, to see things from their side of the fence and that can often really help understand where they are coming from even if from your side, it looks different. This can be a great point to realise you may have got something wrong in which case this is where you back down and admit your realisation

*Think before you speak – so often we shoot from the hip and react without a second's thought as to what is going on. Tired, emotional, hungry, stressed, historical buttons being pushed

*Important – is it? Does it matter? Will you care tomorrow? Next week? In a year's time? Can you let it go right now

*Timing – is now the time to address this? Is giving some space and time a good idea at this point?

Gracious – be gracious with your response, you are on the same side. Remember your reactions say more about you, it's not about being right, yes its nice to be heard but if you're not,

On – know when it is time to move on, respect the differences, compromise, make an agreement, but don't keep circling the same fire, do what it takes to move on.

* Are the exit points which potentially stop the argument in its tracks – good luck!! …well, not really good luck, it takes practise but you know what I mean 😊

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