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Look around you today, and its increasingly obvious that weve lost the ability to converse.
Photo: Getty Images
As for your relationships with your coworkers?
How many times a day do you find yourself saying: Youre on mute.
Its little wonder thatlonelinessis increasingly becoming a problem.
I know firsthand how transformative mastering the art of conversation can be.
Here, seven tips that helped me improve my conversation skills and, by extension, my mental health.
If you feel the urge to interrupt, say something like I see or I understand, instead.
Check in with your social battery
Know what drains you and what restores you emotionally.
No one can have a life-changing heart-to-heart when theyre feeling totally depleted.
If your diary is chock-a-block, you owe it to yourselfand everyone elseto reschedule some things.
Ask unexpected questions
Meeting someone for the first time?
Youll leave a far better impression if you ask something quirky instead of talking about the weather.
Instead of What have you been up to lately?, try What are you proudest of recently?
Theres no harm in writing notes to refer back to if you get flustered.
Remember, youre not looking to take someone down; youre doing this to come to a mutual understanding.
Make every space you enter feel like a club toilet at 2 a.m.
Why?
Because its the ultimate safe space, where everyones liberal with compliments and reassurances.
The goal when chatting should always be to make everyone feel comfortable and celebrated.
Dont filter yourself
Mindless chatter doesnt tend to lead to meaningful connections.
In reality, everyone has something that they feel insecure about and think people will judge them for.
Opening up about these things to each other is one of the fastest, most therapeutic ways to bond.
People are drawn to authenticity like a magnet; you never have to filter your story.
Start and end strong
How you bookend a conversation is just as important as whats said.
And if youre nervous about how to end the conversation?
Go for a simple, Its been really great chatting with you; lets catch up again soon.
It always leaves a positive impression.
