Say What I Want Instead of Giving the Answer They Want

I should pay attention to the words that prompt my actions. When I follow someone else’s question or explanation, I may end up giving the answer they want and taking an action I never intended to take.

Repeat What I Want

A quick and effective way to prevent this is to state what I want clearly and confidently, without first centering the other person’s intentions or reaction. Instead of searching for the answer they want to hear, I can say what I actually want to say.

I Do Not Have to Persuade Them

What I want does not have to be perfectly logical. I do not need to persuade someone before I am allowed to express my wishes. I also do not have to answer their question logically. Instead of answering the question on its terms, I can state what I want and what I choose.

Rather than being pulled along by someone else’s words and constructing the answer they want, I can say what I want directly. I can use short statements such as “This is what I want” or “I am not going to answer that question” and repeat the same meaning. Explaining whether my words are logical enough comes after keeping hold of my own intention.