Coaching Information

4 Ways To Avoid Looking Stupid When Making Small Talk


The fear of saying something silly and feeling embarrassed stops many of us from contributing more to discussions at work and when we are relaxing with friends.

And ironically the more we worry about it, the more tense we get and the more likely we are to say something stupid.

Let us a take a look at some remedies:

1. Learn to relax when you feel under pressure.

I often talk about the importance of managing your emotions

This is an essential skill.

There are a wide range of courses and books that you can refer to if you want to learn more about relaxation.

When you feel relaxed it is easier to think on your feet and to be flexible when you need to be.

2. Prepare Yourself

Before a social gathering get ready to have something to talk about.

With the internet on your PC there is no excuse for not becoming well informed about the world. The more knowledge you have the more conversations you can contribute to.

Make a point though of reading up on a variety of subjects otherwise your conversation topics will be limited to what interests you the most. And those topics may not interest your friends as much.

3. Become genuinely interested in other people

One of the big secrets to conversation power is to shut up! We are all a lot more interested in ourselves than in anyone else.

When there is a long silence encourage the other person to talk by asking questions and taking an active interest in the answers.

Take charge of the situation if you want the conversation to continue.

4. Stupid Statements Are Allowed!

If you say something stupid it is not the end of the world. If you try to hide your error then the situation can become chaotic very quickly.

It is far better to just admit that you made a mistake. Also, accept that even smart people say stupid things some times.

As long as you accept that you will make mistakes you have nothing to worry about. Expecting yourself to be perfect is unfair and just sets you up for failure.

All you need to do now is to decide how you will deal with these mistakes when they do happen.

5. Enjoy The Silence!

When there is a long silence in a conversation what normally passes through your mind? Do you judge it as bad? Do you feel under pressure to speak?

The other person has created the silence with you. Why not wait for him to speak first? Take the responsibility off your shoulders. It takes at least two people to have a conversation.

Finally, the reason silence can be uncomfortable is because you become self conscious. You become very aware of your own thoughts and feelings

There is one great way to deal with this. Put your attention on something outside of yourself by paying great attention to the other person and whatever is going on around you in the room.

Become fascinated by what you see and hear and you will forget about your own concerns.

About The Author

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report: 10 Simple Steps to Developing Communication Confidence. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at: http://www.howtotalkwithconfidence.com/report.htm


MORE RESOURCES:

USA TODAY (blog)

Coaches Agree; It's a Tough One
New York Times
You are coaching the team that is on offense and is trailing, 17-15. Both teams have one timeout left. What do you instruct your players to do? DAN REEVES Former coach of the Giants, the Broncos and the Falcons “No question, I would use the clock and ...
Patriots players, coach, fans ask 'what if?'Worcester Telegram
Manning, Coughlin hitting stride as Giants' coach-quarterback tandemThe Oshkosh Northwestern
Super Bowl Champion Coach Started Career in WNYWROC-TV
SB Nation -USA TODAY (blog) -Bleacher Report
all 19,893 news articles »


USA TODAY

Charleston coach Cremins says he was physically exhausted
USA TODAY
20, 2011, file photo, Charleston coach Bobby Cremins signals to his players during the first half of their NCAA college basketball game against Louisville, in Louisville, Ky. By Timothy D. Easley, AP In this Dec. 20, 2011, file photo, Charleston coach ...
Cougars' Cremins says physical exhaustion, doctor's advice led him to step ...Washington Post
What does C of C do post-Cremins?Charleston Post Courier
Bobby Cremins: 'Team play has lifted my spirits'Live 5 News

all 49 news articles »


Globe and Mail

Rough day as coaches hit the deck
Winnipeg Free Press
Add coach Lindy Ruff to the list. Ruff sustained three broken ribs in what was described as "a freak accident" after he was upended by defenceman Jordan Leopold in practice on Monday. In revealing the extent of the coach's injuries, ...
Sabres Practice Update: Lindy Ruff Suffers Three Broken Ribs In Practice CollisionDie By The Blade

all 136 news articles »


Bleacher Report

Tampa Bay Bucs Struggle to Assemble Coaching Staff: Fan's Look
Yahoo! Sports
Contributor Network 1 hour, 53 minutes ago Besides prior flirtation with another college coach in Chip Kelly of Oregon, few predicted that the Bucs would target the former head coach of Rutgers University. Indeed, during the lengthy search to replace ...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Still Silent on Assistant Coaching PossibilitiesBleacher Report
Buccaneers Coaching Staff Search: Florida's Dan Quinn Turns Down Job ...SB Nation
Am I Missing Something?The Pewter Plank
National Football Post -Pewter Report -Bucs Nation (blog)
all 29 news articles »


Sports Chat Place

Billy Donovan, John Calipari coaching 'em up on hardwood
Florida Times-Union
AP Florida head coach Billy Donovan calls out a play during the first period against Texas A&M on Dec. 17. Don't miss a second of the action when you're away from your computer. Download our Gators app by searching "Jacksonville.com Gators" in your ...
Calipari and the Cats wary of Florida's 3-point shooting, peaking too earlyCoachCal.com

all 132 news articles »


Deaf swim coach teaching lessons beyond the pool
The Seattle Times
By Sandy Ringer Coach Michael Dobner, who has been deaf since birth, addresses his Kentridge High School swimmers. Interpreter Kim Toffstad, right, often assists. Coach Michael Dobner gets through to his Kentridge High School swimmers using a variety ...

and more »


Bleacher Report

Harbaugh, Coach of the Year, Has 49ers Built for the Long Run
NBC Bay Area
By Doug Williams Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers was voted the NFL's Coach of the Year. The question now is, was Harbaugh's coaching magic a one-time wave of the magic wand, or will that magic have staying power?
NFL Coach of the Year: Ranking the 5 Coaches Who Most Deserve TitleBleacher Report
49ers' Jim Harbaugh wins coaching honorChicago Tribune

all 310 news articles »


San Francisco Chronicle

Raiders hire Jason Tarver as def. coordinator
San Francisco Chronicle
Jason Tarver spent 10 seasons with the 49ers before joining head coach David Shaw's staff at Stanford last year. After reportedly striking out with five other candidates for their defensive-coordinator job, the Raiders turned to a man with a master's ...
Oakland Raiders Take Another Coaching Risk In Hiring Jason Tarver To ...SB Nation
Football: Co-coordinator Tarver leaving to run Raiders' defenseThe Stanford Daily
Tarver hire could mean new defensive scheme in OaklandThoughts from the Dark Side
Silver and Black report -Bleacher Report -Just Blog Baby (blog)
all 157 news articles »


After lots of coaching failures, Bulls got right guy in Tom Thibodeau
Chicago Sun-Times
Thibs was born to be a hoops coach. Take the job away from him, and what would be left? Two lidless eyeballs? A puddle? June 23, 2010. ''We talked to coaches, players, everyone. It was evident Tom was really a fit for us and the philosophy of the ...

and more »


PennLive.com

Post-Super Bowl and Patriots, Bill O'Brien set to tackle Penn State coaching ...
Washington Post
White placards with a set of rules were affixed to the glass doors of the players' entrance at the Penn State football building about the time Bill O'Brien agreed to become the school's next football coach. Rule No. 1 on the sign the Nittany Lions see ...
The O'Brien era at Penn State begins todayCitizens Voice
Frank Bodani: QB recruit Bench finally gets a chance at Penn StateYork Daily Record

all 63 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2007