Lots of food for thought there. Yep, I'm guilty of head arguments -- I think we all do it. I can have an imaginary argument with another driver on the street, the clerk at the post office, or someone dear to me. And you're right, most of the time they're useless and serve only to distract and annoy me.
However, I have to say that I think there is a good time and place for working through a conflict in your mind ahead of time for the workplace. In the workplace, often a conflict arises with a co-worker or with a boss, and we simply don't react as well when we're talking off the cuff as we do if we've thought it through or even rehearsed. I find that if I think about the conversation ahead of time, I handle it much better. I say the things I want to say, and I don't say the things I don't want to say.
I don't have a huge temper, but I imagine this is even more useful for those who do. If you are a person who wishes they would think before they speak, this is a helpful skill.
Perhaps the difference is whether a head argument will really help you work out an actual problem that you need or plan to discuss with someone, or whether you're just turning it around and around in your mind in order to make yourself appear right.
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Great post, Allison!
Lots of food for thought there. Yep, I'm guilty of head arguments -- I think we all do it. I can have an imaginary argument with another driver on the street, the clerk at the post office, or someone dear to me. And you're right, most of the time they're useless and serve only to distract and annoy me.
However, I have to say that I think there is a good time and place for working through a conflict in your mind ahead of time for the workplace. In the workplace, often a conflict arises with a co-worker or with a boss, and we simply don't react as well when we're talking off the cuff as we do if we've thought it through or even rehearsed. I find that if I think about the conversation ahead of time, I handle it much better. I say the things I want to say, and I don't say the things I don't want to say.
I don't have a huge temper, but I imagine this is even more useful for those who do. If you are a person who wishes they would think before they speak, this is a helpful skill.
Perhaps the difference is whether a head argument will really help you work out an actual problem that you need or plan to discuss with someone, or whether you're just turning it around and around in your mind in order to make yourself appear right.
May 7, 2009 - 8:07amThis Comment
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