Today more than ever we are all highly opinionated. Today more than ever you get judged and criticized for your political views, your thoughts on parenting, if Lebron James is better than Michael Jordan, who the President is and if pineapple belongs on a pizza. Look, for me, pineapple is delicious but it has no place on a pizza. That, right there is my preference. Just like you may prefer pineapple on your pizza. None of that makes you or I wrong. It just makes us different. And different is beautiful. There is a way to handle people who just want to disagree with everything you say. Or perhaps, even judge you for it.
It’s quite simple and it avoids having to defend your point of view with someone that clearly is on a whole new level of extreme. Say the following, you might be right.
That’s it. Just shrug your shoulders and say you might be right. Instantly you can see the conversation shift. The energy changes. The person who suddenly was just extreme stands down.
You can do this with a colleague. A spouse. A friend. Or your Aunt Theresa that has a whole lot to say, about everything. In this situation it doesn’t matter who’s right or wrong. What matters is that you have a set of beliefs that won’t be up for review by anyone, except yourself. All that matters is you believe what you believe. Everyone else doesn’t have to.
Try it… you might be right.
There’re a variety of reasons why people will argue and disagree with you. Fighting to defend what you believe just is not an effective use of time and energy. It’s not a hill to die on.
So what, they judge you. So what, they challenge your views and beliefs. Let them. You staying grounded and above the fray is more important. Focus on what is right. Not who is right. Everything else just doesn’t matter. You’re not trying to convert someone to your side. You just stay on your side.
It’s easy to defend your point to the death. The death of the friendship or relationship with someone. To the point that you simply don’t want to be around that person or relative. If you defend too strongly, you aren’t any better than the extremism displayed by the person trying to judge you for your views on life. Two people being extreme, sounds like a terrible time.
You might be right. It’s powerful and it helps you avoid conflict that simply doesn’t matter.
Thought Provoking Questions : Are you able to resist defending yourself at every turn?
Dan Roman is a Husband, Father, and writer that releases a daily blog. A quick read. Sharing wisdom and asking thought-provoking questions.
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