Can We Ever Get On the Same Page?

Welcome! Today I'm gonna ask and answer an important question as a follow-up to a previous post.

 Do you ever get frustrated because it seems like you're repeating yourself over and over again even after you think you reached a mutual understanding?

Do you ever wonder: 

Can we ever just get on the same page?

Last week, I shared the potentially disastrous consequences that could have occurred if my friend and her doctor hadn't reached a common understanding of her medical condition.

And, with all that's going on in the world today, It's difficult to avoid misunderstandings.

However, If we don't have time to do it right the first time, do we really have time to clean up a mess and do it over again?

I encourage you to think back on situations from your own life and the problems that were caused because of simple misunderstandings that could have easily been avoided. 

How do we make sure that everyone fully understands the task and what's expected of them?

You may have asked yourself: What could we have done differently to avoid this problem in the first place?

Once you answer THAT question, adjust your behavior accordingly.

Here are a few additional suggestions.

1. Unless it's a true emergency like your house is on fire, broach the subject when everyone is likely to be fully present. In my younger days as a dad, I learned what should have been an obvious truth. Catching my son's attention as he ran out the door for a date was NOT a good time to discuss cleaning his room. Of course, many adolescents believe that they NEVER have time to discuss anything that doesn't directly impact them in this moment.

2. Agree on a mutually convenient time to discuss the matter, with the stated expectation that everyone will be fully present.

3. Put down your electronics and give others your full attention. 
4. Avoid making assumptions. It never hurts to clarify the details just to be sure. This can be a tedious process that feels like filling a bucket with sand using only tweezers, but in the long run it can save time and energy and lower frustration levels. and finally,

5. At the conclusion of your conversations, summarize your understanding of the agreement, and everyone's role in the process.

I hope you enjoyed today's post and as always feel free to comment below and suggest other topics of interest. 

Until then stay well and take care,

Mike

PS: Click here for the 3/11/2022 Facebook Video of this blog post!