Watching My Speech

[We Never Know]

I've been thinking lately about putting a little more effort into watching what comes out of my mouth.

One of the biggest things I want to pay attention to is what point do my words have, and making sure that what I'm saying is worthwhile.

I'd like to point out that at this time, I'm not attempting to cut back on communication. I already feel fairly isolated, and I don't think further separating myself is healthy at this point in time. I just want to make sure that what I am communicating about is constructive or useful.

Any tips for changing, or becoming aware of speech patterns?

Any experience with this of your own?

The problem I have at time and see at times with others is its hard to type something and have it come across the same as if you spoke it.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Sometimes--often times really--we talk about stuff of no economic or moral purity or "having to do something" value. But it does have a value in that even the "valueless talk" has value in connecting us with another person, even if it is just to acknowledge the presence of another.
Idle chit chat isn't really so idle when you consider all it does. It just doesn't achieve much if you have to have measurable results and a concrete goal and purpose of why it's happening.

Ah, that explains why I suck at bonding with people -- I can't stand valueless chit chat irl, haha. Ah well.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I guess in this case, I am wanting to refrain from fruitless arguments or toxic discussion. Sometimes its hard to catch yourself going in, though. (Needless to say, I think I'll avoid politics.)

I agree with you that idle banter isn't valueless if it cheers one up, passes time positively, or builds a friendship. (On the flip side, if it makes one grumpy, makes time drag on, or destroys a friendship, it probably doesn't have value.)

Ah, that explains why I suck at bonding with people -- I can't stand valueless chit chat irl, haha. Ah well.

I really do believe the idea it's worthless and idle is entirely cultural. We call it such things, but in a biopsycho level we just really know better.
And it's bothersome, but it's planting seeds so they may grow into something larger.

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

Any experience with this of your own?

I always just try to make sure I am being consistent, logical and analytical and that I am not using speech from a place of emotion unless the emotions are positive. Within this framework, usually the worst that still passes through is mild annoyance - whereby a question that has a very obvious answer is asked. But that's about it. I always, always try to analyze the situation first and give my mind a few moments to work from the "point A" of what was just said to me, to the "point B" of what I am going to reply.

 

[Clara Tea]

I've been thinking lately about putting a little more effort into watching what comes out of my mouth.

One of the biggest things I want to pay attention to is what point do my words have, and making sure that what I'm saying is worthwhile.

I'd like to point out that at this time, I'm not attempting to cut back on communication. I already feel fairly isolated, and I don't think further separating myself is healthy at this point in time. I just want to make sure that what I am communicating about is constructive or useful.

Any tips for changing, or becoming aware of speech patterns?

Any experience with this of your own?

Many a slip twixt tongue and lip.

My philosophy Teacher's Assistant talked slowly because he said that is how Socrates taught people (to think about everything that they said). I pondered saying stupid things very very slowly.

I noted that philosophers were perplexed by problems that were easily solved by mathematicians (Zeno's Paradox, for example).

 

[Secret Chief]

I've been thinking lately about putting a little more effort into watching what comes out of my mouth.

One of the biggest things I want to pay attention to is what point do my words have, and making sure that what I'm saying is worthwhile.

I'd like to point out that at this time, I'm not attempting to cut back on communication. I already feel fairly isolated, and I don't think further separating myself is healthy at this point in time. I just want to make sure that what I am communicating about is constructive or useful.

Any tips for changing, or becoming aware of speech patterns?

Any experience with this of your own?

..............Pause before you respond.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I've been thinking lately about putting a little more effort into watching what comes out of my mouth.

One of the biggest things I want to pay attention to is what point do my words have, and making sure that what I'm saying is worthwhile.

I'd like to point out that at this time, I'm not attempting to cut back on communication. I already feel fairly isolated, and I don't think further separating myself is healthy at this point in time. I just want to make sure that what I am communicating about is constructive or useful.

Any tips for changing, or becoming aware of speech patterns?

Any experience with this of your own?

I've had some experience with this. I found Toastmasters to be tremendously useful.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I've been thinking lately about putting a little more effort into watching what comes out of my mouth.

One of the biggest things I want to pay attention to is what point do my words have, and making sure that what I'm saying is worthwhile.

I'd like to point out that at this time, I'm not attempting to cut back on communication. I already feel fairly isolated, and I don't think further separating myself is healthy at this point in time. I just want to make sure that what I am communicating about is constructive or useful.

Any tips for changing, or becoming aware of speech patterns?

Any experience with this of your own?

Why?

 

[JustGeorge]

I've had some experience with this. I found Toastmasters to be tremendously useful.

I've heard of Toastmasters. Can you share some how they work?

Why?

To help keep my contribution of negative nonsense at a low, and hopefully draw in less because of that.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I've heard of Toastmasters. Can you share some how they work?

There's an educational program that you follow at your own pace. Most of the projects involve giving a prepared speech in front of an audience at a Toastmasters meeting.

You get an evaluation for every speech. The evaluation form will generally focus on the project objectives (e.g. if the project is about visual aids, it'll ask how effective and smooth your aids were), but you can also ask your evaluator to give extra attention to things that you want to work on.

Every meeting also has impromptu speaking (called "Table Topics") where volunteers answer a question off-the-cuff. It doesn't get evaluated (in most clubs, anyhow), but it's good practice for quickly thinking about a topic and formulating a thought-out response.