TIP 74Listen more, speak less"It is better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."~Author unknownHere It is an old Arab proverb that says: "The smarter you become, the less you speak." Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool gives full rein to his spirit, but a wise man holds it in silence.” Proverbs 17:28 says, "Even a fool who is silent is considered wise; when he shuts his lips, he is considered intelligent." Have you ever been in a group of people and there's that one person who just won't shut up? You know what I'm talking about. He has an opinion on everything and is eloquent on every topic under the sun. Doesn't it drive you crazy? Oh, can't you think of anyone like that when you go out with your friends? Hmmm… then maybe you are “that person”. Listen, there's nothing wrong with being a people person, nor is it bad to be chatty and talkative. Believe me, introverts like me rely on you to fill life's awkward silences. But you're absolutely sure you listen when people talk to you. If you find yourself dominating conversations, almost as if you're holding court like a celebrity, maybe it's time to think about going back and focusing? more about input. Become an Active Listener Next time you're in a conversation or hanging out in a group, challenge yourself by asking, "Can I remember the last thing that every person around me doesn't expect?" You know this literally, nor am I asking you to remember what the introvert in the group said ten minutes ago. Just make sure you're plugged in and focused enough on the people around you that you're actively aware of their contributions to the conversation. .Re...... middle of paper ......life who do you have to have a difficult conversation with? Maybe you need to confront someone about a thorny issue, the phase and the intervention, or maybe even apologize for having wronged them in the past. Take a cue from my pastor for what he does when faced with difficult situations and having difficult conversations: He invites them over for tea (or coffee). We are not talking about simply asking someone to meet us in a cafe or restaurant somewhere, but rather inviting them to the office or home and preparing tea or coffee, as well as a light snack such as coffee cake, chocolate or whatever. the other person likes it. When you take the time to prepare food for the other person, much of the tension inherent in the moment releases. Serving the other person prepares you to be empathetic and kind, while being served makes them feel welcomed in return.