Arguments are OK!

We don't live in a perfect world and everyone makes mistakes... While everyday interactions make arguments almost inevitable here are 9 simple ways to maintain sanity and get some good out of it.

• Arguments should be kept civil at all times

• Do not speak in a condescending tone or manner that causes the other to shut down

• Respect the other person

• Being disrespectful is unacceptable in any situation.

• Attacking a person’s background, culture or inabilities is not the way to go.

• Don’t bank on other people’s low self-esteem. Stooping low to feed your own ego will not make you feel better about yourself. Attacking and humiliating the opponent only makes you look bad. 

• Keep swear words out

• Remember that you arguing about a subject and not about a person. Name calling and swearing is abuse and NEVER ok.

• Keep to the subject

• Do not bring unrelated incidents and people into the conversation

• While it is tempting to go off on a tangent, keep the discussion relevant to the topic

• Voices should not be raised

• This is perhaps one of the toughest to keep at because arguments tend to get heated up.

• Listen

• Often the other person is trying to convey a hidden message. 

• Interrupting is rude

• Accept the good that they have to say and acknowledge the point being made

• Let others form there own opinions

• Don’t talk about the argument or person behind them

• Your opinion of the opponent is your alone and does not need to be shared

• Document 

• In the heat of the moment, thoughts, and ideas that could have been productive tend to get lost. Document a few key takeaways that will help mend the relationship

• Don't let it linger

• Be strong enough to apologize, forgive, forget, and move on. Time heals and often in a few weeks or months, the argument won't matter. If something improved and some good came out if it, learn the lessons.