When your conversation spreads across more than one medium (from email, to text, to Messenger)
When you find yourself asking, “What am I supposed to say to that?”
When you wonder, “Wait, what happened here?”
When you feel your blood pressure rising
When you’re sure the other person is thinking annoyed thoughts about you
When each additional text simply adds to the confusion
Stop texting. Stop emailing. Pick up the phone.
Choose real-time communication, the kind where we can connect to each other, ask questions, and explain ourselves. The kind where we can remember that the person on the other side of the screen is a person, not an obstacle. Talking to each other, rather than texting or emailing, solves myriad problems.
When we’re speaking, we have an opportunity to add tone and inflection to our message. The person we’re talking to has a chance to hear our goodwill, our effort, our problem.
When the medium you’re using has stopped being efficient and helpful, it’s time to stop using it.
