Of course the difficult conversations are by nature, the ones that we try to avoid (and rationalise with ourselves why we are avoiding it).
So, below are some questions that might help bring clarity:
- What makes the conversation “difficult”?
- What’s the payoff for keeping the status quo and not having the conversation?
- What’s the pain associated with keeping on, keeping on?
- What’s the best thing that could happen as a result of having the conversation?
- What’s the worst thing (and is that so bad) about having the conversation?
- Do you need to actually have a “conversation” or can you change your behaviour/attitude/approach in some way and would that alter the dynamic in some way so that the conversation is no longer necessary?
And a bonus question.. Does your significant other/friend/family think “you’re mad” for not addressing the issue?
Rather than spend sleepless nights worrying, it pays to spend some quality time with a trusted person going through these questions and seeing if that presents some insight.
Until next week,
