You Talk Too Much!! Social media, couples, and resolutions.

The other day I was in a painful family meeting for a client.  What made it painful?

A few things, but what stands out is the father's drive to talk over everyone else at length.  He seemed to be trying to make multiple unclear points with no resolution.  When I interrupted him and asked him to sum up in two sentences he complained he couldn't do so.  In fact, he said I was "degrading" him by interrupting.

What he couldn't understand was my interruption was an attempt to help him.

How?


Well, he wanted to be heard, but once he got talking for a period of time it was clear he was being tuned out.

Why?

Because he was talking too much.  Too much information, too many words, too much anger and intensity, too many points-- just too much.

It's like social media- blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc.  Have you ever clicked to a blog post with multiple pages of scroll down?  How many of these posts do you really read?  Or do you, like me, either click out immediately, or barely skim the information?  The same is true of comments online.  If they are more than a few sentences, they discourage readers.

When you see a useful, fun or interesting short posts like those on Seth Godin's blog, aren't you more likely to read and absorb them?

Again and again, if you listen closely to those in the know, you'll hear KISS- "Keep It Simple Socially."  (Yes, I changed the last word, intentionally!)

In your relationship, you need to follow KISS, too.  You need to be succinct, focused, and simple.  No more than a few sentences.  If you go over three to four short sentences when giving feedback to your partner, you begin to sound like Charlie Brown's teacher, "Wha-wa wa wa wa whaa."

Is that what you want?

This week's relationship resolution and your courageous work is inspired by that Dad- KISS.  Keep it simple socially.  Make sure you are focused, succinct and straightforwardly simple when talking to your partner.

Bonus hint: Don't forget to make a request in those 3-4 sentences!

Don't forget to share ideas with me via email (found on my profile).

Comments appreciated and replied to!

picture from here