I talk too much.

While working for my father about 16 years ago he became extremely aware of my incessant ramblings, vocal observations, pontificated opinions etc. One day while enjoying some after work drinks at a bar in Atlanta he says to me "@budawiggi Shut Up. You talk way too much for your own good, it makes you seem flighty and less intelligent than you seem while not talking" I was a bit taken a back by this statement, was he calling me stupid? He went further and said "@buddawiggi I'll make a deal with you, I want you to, for every one word you say, listen to four, trust me it will do you a lot of good"

This has been some of the best advice I have ever received.

Since this exercise began over 15 years ago I still find myself counting my own words and doing the math so I will listen to more words than I say. It is almost unconscious now.

I have become better and better socially and professionally because of the application of this advice. I have used this advice to help me better focus while listening to people and make that switch to really hearing people instead of just waiting to talk.

Try it your self. You will see in a short time that people will react better to you if you spend more time listening than talking.

~quote
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." ~~Abraham Lincoln
~endquote
Source(s):
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/abrahamlin103535.html

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