When to speak and when to stay silent?
Thoughts of the day*
When to stay silent and when to speak up?
The thought of the day is about the question of when it is better to speak up and when to stay silent. How to know which one is the better decision?
Thoughts about the motto of the day
What comes to my mind when thinking about this motto of the day? It reminds me immediately of the first rule of rhetoric: If you haven’t something relevant to say, shut up! Sometimes, silence is golden. Is there another thought? Yes!
Let me add a few thoughts when I think it is better to stay silent:
- When you have nothing relevant to say.
- In case, it is better to take some time to solidify your reaction.
- When something is better left unsaid.
- You don’t have a receptive audience.
When is it better to speak up:
- When you can make a positive difference.
- You have the power to change something.
- It is the desired opportunity.
- When your opinion is requested.
- If your silence could be understood as an approval for something you disagree with.
- When you want to let your feelings known.
- To demonstrate that you are interested.
*Note
I select the motto of the day mostly because something about it appeals to me. Something attracts me or irritates me. It feels as if it could contain something and I want to get to the root of it. So I dedicate a motto to each day and let myself be surprised what it has to offer me.
Sometimes the reason for the choice clarifies itself only after a while. That's why the thoughts about the motto of the day are often not articles, but associations. They are thoughts transformed into words. They are spontaneous and I also publish them frequently while I am traveling. They, therefore, tend to appear in fragments. Feel invited to add your associations in the comments. Enrich the thoughts with your perspectives – to complete the picture.
How do you benefit best from the motto of the day?
Ask yourself constructive questions like the following and you will personally benefit from each motto of the day:
- What triggers the topic in you?
- Under what circumstances do you agree with the statement and when not?
- What is the significance of the statement for you?
- How can the motto of the day enrich your life?
- In what context could the statement be useful?
- Where and when do you want to remember it and how?
And what can I do if I disagree with a motto? There is often something personal to learn from quotations with which we disagree. Helpful questions in such a case are:
- What do you specifically disagree with?
- Do you think the statement is generally not helpful or only not suitable for you personally?
- Which aspect is worth taking a closer look at?
Just ask me personally
Please post any questions that may interest other readers in the comments. Are you looking for professional support?
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Published: December 9, 2019
Author: Karsten Noack
Revision: September 23, 2020
Translation: ./.
German version:
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