When I first saw this I laughed and said something a little inappropriate. But it is true...rarely do I ever have a thought by itself.
Do you?
Yeah I didn't think so.
I think we're all guilty of this and some of us are better at ending the thought train...while others seem to drive the train till it crashes...taking them with it.
Thinking is great...it's good for you!...but sometimes we can get lost in our thoughts and trying to explain them can be difficult at times.
When this happens what do you do? Do you end up over explaining things...sharing information that really isn't needed? Do you talk too much or so fast that you become an inarticulate mess? yeah me too...it happens. But when it does...what do you do? how do you slow your thoughts so you can talk or do you?
I think we can avoid becoming an inarticulate mess but it takes practice.
Do you?
Yeah I didn't think so.
I think we're all guilty of this and some of us are better at ending the thought train...while others seem to drive the train till it crashes...taking them with it.
Thinking is great...it's good for you!...but sometimes we can get lost in our thoughts and trying to explain them can be difficult at times.
When this happens what do you do? Do you end up over explaining things...sharing information that really isn't needed? Do you talk too much or so fast that you become an inarticulate mess? yeah me too...it happens. But when it does...what do you do? how do you slow your thoughts so you can talk or do you?
I think we can avoid becoming an inarticulate mess but it takes practice.
I think the first step is to decide if you even need to respond. Sometimes people say careless things that are just best left ignored or even minimally acknowledged. Sometimes not saying anything...says a whole lot more.
The next step I think is to decide what information this person needs to hear. If they're not a close personal friend of family member...you may not want to share a lot of personal information. So decide how much you truly need to share before you start talking.
Gather your thoughts and make sense of what you're thinking and what you want to say. What is relevant to the conversation and to what it is going on in the present moment. Taking the time to do this is a helpful step when your thoughts are rapid and you're feeling overwhelmed. What are you feeling that may be impacting how and what you're thinking and how can you then relay that to someone one else. If you can't make sense of your thoughts and feelings to communicate them clearly it will be harder for someone else to understand.
Sometimes it helps to write down your thoughts if you can ahead of time to help you make sense of them or to help keep you on track during the conversation. Writing things down will also help you to not forget the important things you want and need to talk about. I realize it's not always possible to write things down especially as a conversation happens...but it is important that you make a conscious effort to slow and organize your thoughts.
You may even need to take a time-out to gather your thoughts and it's okay if you do!...just let the person know you need some time and some space...but when you're ready...you will come back and the conversation will continue. Don't just shut down and ignore the person and stop talking okay? No one likes being ignored.
One thing too I think we forget to do is breathe...and when we do...the panic can start and so does the over talking and rapid speech. So while you gather your thoughts...don't forget to breathe in deep and let it out slowly...repeat as your thoughts need or as your heart rate requires.
When your thought train is threatening to run off the track...take some time...gather your thoughts...make sense of your thoughts so you can share them...and then start talking.
take good care of you
meme found on-line and I didn't write down where and I'm sorry I cannot give credit where it is due
The next step I think is to decide what information this person needs to hear. If they're not a close personal friend of family member...you may not want to share a lot of personal information. So decide how much you truly need to share before you start talking.
Gather your thoughts and make sense of what you're thinking and what you want to say. What is relevant to the conversation and to what it is going on in the present moment. Taking the time to do this is a helpful step when your thoughts are rapid and you're feeling overwhelmed. What are you feeling that may be impacting how and what you're thinking and how can you then relay that to someone one else. If you can't make sense of your thoughts and feelings to communicate them clearly it will be harder for someone else to understand.
Sometimes it helps to write down your thoughts if you can ahead of time to help you make sense of them or to help keep you on track during the conversation. Writing things down will also help you to not forget the important things you want and need to talk about. I realize it's not always possible to write things down especially as a conversation happens...but it is important that you make a conscious effort to slow and organize your thoughts.
You may even need to take a time-out to gather your thoughts and it's okay if you do!...just let the person know you need some time and some space...but when you're ready...you will come back and the conversation will continue. Don't just shut down and ignore the person and stop talking okay? No one likes being ignored.
One thing too I think we forget to do is breathe...and when we do...the panic can start and so does the over talking and rapid speech. So while you gather your thoughts...don't forget to breathe in deep and let it out slowly...repeat as your thoughts need or as your heart rate requires.
When your thought train is threatening to run off the track...take some time...gather your thoughts...make sense of your thoughts so you can share them...and then start talking.
take good care of you
meme found on-line and I didn't write down where and I'm sorry I cannot give credit where it is due
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