I employ discretion in my speech to protect myself from regretting something I have said. Words cannot be taken back; therefore I practice thinking before speaking.
When I want to say something, I rehearse the words in my head to ensure I can communicate my ideas clearly.
Especially when speaking to a group of people, I prepare in advance what I am going to say. This prevents me from saying something that may be offensive to anyone in the group.
By running the thoughts through my head before they exit my mouth, I save myself from potential embarrassment. I refrain from speaking abruptly by being quick to listen and slow to speak.
I safeguard my reputation by filtering my words.
The way I speak says a lot about my abilities, refinement, and education. I must be well spoken if I want others to take me seriously.
I steer clear from blanket stereotypes about race, gender, and physical traits, so I can avoid offending anyone. In general, my rule of thumb is to keep quiet if I have nothing nice to say and to speak my mind only when I can do so politely.
If I ever mistakenly say something offensive, I am quick to express my apologies. I directly and personally address anyone I may have offended to ensure they know my intention was not to cause hurt.
Today, I choose to think before I speak. I stop myself from uttering anything out loud that sounds inappropriate. I avoid offending others and having to perform damage control by being selective with what I share.
Self-Reflection Questions
- What are the benefits to thinking before speaking?
- When was the last time I had to do damage control because of something I said?
- How can I protect myself from embarrassment?
