To being brave… and a little awkward

The summer is upon us, ready or not.  Maybe the kids are out of school or they’re about to be, but either way summer always brings an increase.  An increase in people, activities, and overall busyness.

Since you’re likely spending more time than usual with family, friends, and even business or ministry comrades, I wanted to give you a simple yet genius move that will help you be more powerful, charismatic, and intentional in your relationships – all in just 3 seconds flat.  Ready?

One one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand.

And, you’re done!

The simple act of intentionally waiting three seconds after someone speaks can open doors to better communication, and healthier relationships.

I don’t know about you, but I tend to want to help people as they speak and can be quick to give my own form of advice to their situation.  But, taking a few seconds to wait allows the person room to think through, dig a little deeper, and actually trust you more because of your patience and understanding.  This little trick can change your life, and more importantly, the lives of those around you.

But don’t let the simplicity of this strategy fool you.  This time gap can also be, well, awkward.

Think of the last time someone asked for your advice or brought a problem to you.  You were probably ready with a solution on the tip of your tongue.  So, we may have to physically make ourselves wait those last few moments to allow the person to reveal a little more, and maybe even reach a conclusion that was better than ours could have been.

Winston Churchill once said,

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

In every conversation and confrontation you may come across, know that someone will always be asking, Are you listening to me?  Did you really hear what I have to say?

Don’t be afraid to be courageous, and more importantly, just a little awkward.