If you’re a big feeling person like us, having hard conversations is, well hard. If you have compassion and empathy for other people, it can feel scary because you don’t want to offend the other person or make them feel bad about something. But truthfully, part of that piece is that you’re also a little scared of what the outcome might be. Words are powerful and you can’t take them back, but you can always have another conversation, so breathe sister. Whether that conversation is with a friend, a family member, in your workplace, it’s never easy but truthfully you nearly always feel better once you have it.
There a quote that says, “You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.”
I remember this when having a hard conversation.
When approaching if the conversation is worth having we think about 2 things:
1. Will it make me feel better once having the conversation? 2. Will it effect me if I don’t have this conversation?
While the context and approach can be different based on the landscape of your relationship with the person, here’s some general ideas to think about once deciding to move forward with the conversation:
- What are the main points I want to get across?
- What do I want from this conversation?
- How do I want to feel after this conversation?
- How can I speak kindly so the other person feels open to my feedback?
Some of the hardest things turn out to be the best things. Bringing up uncomfortable conversation allow growth in some form, every time. Trust yourself.