Momma said, "We don't say Shut Up!"

The older I get, the more I understand the importance of brevity. Use less words when I talk and write to make a point. Do we believe if we talk more and keep talking we will finally wear the other person down to our way of thinking? As we were raising our two boys there were times when we had to remind them not to say, "Shut up". It is rude and certainly not a way to win an argument. I have changed my mind when dealing with adults. Please, respectively, shut up and let the other person talk. Let your conversation have air to breathe. I am not just referring to business conversations but in any relationship that you want to nurture. My son Nick has been is sales for a few years and has learned the importance of knowing when to be quiet. Stephen Covey says, "Emphatic listening is essential to effective communication." Emphatic means with emphasis, important and forceful. Covey further describes true listening in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, as seeking first to understand. I can't remember one time when talking too much helped my cause. I can remember numerous occasions when it has placed my foot firmly in my mouth. Enjoy these quotations and have a great week. Pierce Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. ~ Winston Churchill "I like to listen, I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen." ~ Ernest Hemingway What most people really want is to be listened to, respected, and understood." ~ John Maxwell "Listening is very inexpensive; not listening could be very costly!" ~ Tom Brewer, Professional Baseball Player "One reason a dog is such a lovable creature is that his tail wags instead of his tongue." ~ Unknown