Lesson 3: 3 conversations in 1 – internal and external conversations
Any time we engage in some interaction with someone we are actually have three conversations in one.
- The verbal communication between yourself and the other person
- The ‘conversation’ you are having in your head where you might be rating the value of the verbal conversation, or allowing your mind to drift to what you are doing tonight, or thinking of what you want to say next.
- The ‘conversation’ the listener is having in their head
We often don’t consider the conversations we have in our heads, yet these internal conversations greatly impact the effectiveness of the external conversation. The interesting thing is, often the conversation in our own heads is louder and has more impact on our ability to speak than the conversation with the other person.
Task
Recall a recent conversation: What internal conversations (or thoughts in your head) were happening at the same time as the external conversation with the other person?
How do you think your internal conversation might have impacted the external conversation?
Make notes to refer to as you progress through the course.