English speaking 2020
Day 3
Are you open-minded when speaking English? Do you consider other points of view when discussing a hot topic or do you abruptly cut others off if you disagree?
Today, Americans furiously debate President Donald Trump, the most polarizing man in the world. Conversations between family and friends cannot take place without violent disagreements.
Most people either love or hate him. Scientists would predict most of these people use confirmation bias to bolster their points of view.
Wikipedia says confirmation bias is “the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that affirms one’s prior beliefs. The effect is stronger for desired outcomes, for emotionally charged issues, and for deeply-entrenched beliefs.”
Fans of Trump believe he can do no wrong, while opponents loathe him. Both sides read, recall and use “facts” in conversation to back up their opinions.
It’s easy today to find Internet sources to “prove” every conceivable opinion and belief from aliens to the cure for cancer.
We all selectively remember and use often-unsubstantiated or biased information in conversation to defend or tout our personal opinions and actions.
The smoker says “my Uncle Bob smoked and lived to 90” while the SUV driver believes “global warming is a giant hoax.” We all do it in some fashion.
Being open minded to different ideas takes effort. Questioning your own beliefs is even more difficult.
Being open-minded requires the willingness to consider opinions other than your own. Are you open-minded?
TIP: Allow others to discuss viewpoints without interrupting. Use active listening and questioning to fully understand and consider.
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For hundreds of meditations and tips to improve English speaking then consider John McGory’s book Seeking Balance: The ultimate guide to English-speaking excellence for the shy, foreign, or frustrated.
Seeking Balance helps you
- Become a confident English speaker
- Seamlessly navigate speaking situations
- Create a strong public-speaking persona
- Control challenging conversations
- Build business and social relationships
- Understand cultural differences
- Develop excellent speaking skills
English Speaking 2020 and yinyang
English Speaking 2020 follows the Chinese philosophy of yinyang. It believes opposite forces are complimentary. For example, the moon and stars need the darkness to highlight their beauty.
Our speaking habits often reflect either the moon and stars or the darkness, leaving people unable to see our true beauty.
Productive English meditations provide thoughts on balancing the light and dark English-speaking forces within you.
The meditations cover a wide range of topics and only take a minute or two to let your moon and stars shine brightly in the darkness.
Here’s to you becoming a more productive English speaker in 2020.
