This is a continuation of the series of blogs called: Guiding Principles for Mastering Tough Conversations.

First, the video

Second, the transcript

Hi, I’m Mark McPherson. Welcome to one of my Guiding Principles for Mastering Tough Conversations.

This Guiding Principle is: Don’t keep telling yourself it’s going to be tough.

I’ve seen way too many people become overly stressed and unnecessarily anxious because they keep telling themself: “I’m preparing for a tough conversation. It’s going to be hard. It’s going to be tricky. I don’t know if I’ll get the result I want.”

Now, yes, take it seriously. You should be thinking about some of those things in the background. But don’t keep bringing them to the front where you worry about them unnecessarily.

What happens, I find, is when people do that, they don’t prepare properly, and then they reduce their chances of actually getting the result they’re really after. So, if you can, don’t keep telling yourself it’s going to be tough.

Yes, take it seriously, but don’t concentrate on how tough it’s going to be, or it might be. Prepare properly instead. That’s where you should be putting your time.

Okay, let’s leave it there. Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, please look after yourself, look after your friends and family, and I do hope to chat to you soon.

All the very best.

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