Sometimes the greatest way to say something is to say nothing at all.
We’ve all been there.
Someone is telling you about how you did something wrong. Or about something they don’t like about you.
What’s your first reaction?
To tell them about what they did wrong? Or about all the things you don’t like about them?
Me too.
It’s ok. We’re human.
We get back into a corner and we try to defend ourselves.
But it’s unfortunately the best way to invalidate everything you’re saying.
What should you do instead?
This video is done by two lawyers advising their clients what to do if they get busted for pot, but I think their general thesis applies to what I was talking about perfectly.
Yup. Shut the fuck up.
“You didn’t do the dishes!”
“Why do you always put things off until the last minute!”
“Why are you yelling at me right now?”
Your first reactions to those things might be “You never do the dishes!” or “Ya, well you always put things off too!” or “You yell at me all the time!”
All of those things might be true, but they really have nothing to do with what you’re being told. And saying them will just make it seem like you’re not actually listening.
So shut the fuck up.
Take the criticism. Acknowledge it. Pledge to be better. And save all the stuff you have bottled up for another time when it’s your turn to be angry.
If you don’t, you’re only going to invalidate both your current response AND any future time when you want to bring up all those things.
Take it from a guy who has made this mistake a million times (and probably will again).
Just shut the fuck up. Live to fight another day.
Sometimes the greatest way to say something is to say nothing at all.
Take it away, JT and Chris Stapleton…
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As your attorney, I advise you rent a fast car with no top. And you’ll need cocaine… wait sorry just don’t say anything except “I want an attorney”