Mother Knows Best

May 8, 2009 by Nichole 

mother_knows_best1With Mother’s Day approaching on Sunday, I suggest you visit a website that has posted a list of “mom-isms—things your mom always said.” I found many of the sayings that I had heard as a child, and I’ll bet most of you have heard them, too. Seeing those phrases again made me realize that they have helped me communicate today.

1. “How many times do I have to tell you?” and “If I’ve told you once…I’ve told you a thousand times,”

MEANING: Listen to the key point of the message being delivered to you. This will help you to give an appropriate reply.

TAKEAWAY: Pay attention whenever you speak.

2. “You have an answer for everything, don’t you?”

MEANING: Don’t try to have an immediate answer for everything you hear. This is especially negative if you don’t follow the first takeaway.

TAKEAWAY: See takeaway above before responding to any question.

NOTE: When I was a child, kind people called me precocious; most said I was a smart aleck.

3. “Answer me when I ask you a question,” and “I don’t know is NOT an answer,”

MEANING: Do not ignore people. Silence is not always golden.

TAKEAWAY: A meaningful discussion is give and take. Create a dialogue.

4. “Am I talking to a brick wall?” and “Look at me when I am talking to you,”

MEANING: Engage people by looking them in the eyes.

TAKEAWAY: When you look people directly in the eyes during conversation you appear sincere.

NOTE: I learned early on that when I looked my parents in the eyes, they always believed my story.
Disclaimer: this does not work with “The dog ate my homework.”

My role in interacting with people at Power Presentations may have been ordained by my parents, and the elders in my family. This role is further reinforced with repetitive affirmation of these sayings. (I use many of them with my two boys, ages 2 and 7.)

I leave you with this last saying that many of us have heard growing up and have found to be true, “You will understand when you’re older.”

Indeed I do.

Please share with us things you learned as a child that help you communicate today.

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