SHOOTING FROM THE LIP- It's a deadly game

Shooting-from-the-lip is a very dangerous habit, because IF YOU MISS THE TARGET YOU'RE DEAD.

Always identify the intended target and never pull the trigger before you take careful aim. Never wound innocent bystanders.

Sometimes our "quick-draw" words not only bury us in a hole deeper than we can climb out. They often miss the target completely.

Just one "quick-draw" remark can set in motion serious unintended and unexpected disasters. These unfortunate consequences are frequently irreversible.

Over the course of 40 years I've seen more friendships, and business opportunities sabotaged by a slip of the tongue because they pulled the trigger before they took aim.

Why would an seemingly intelligent person let that kind of stupidity happen? Why is this careless slip of the tongue so common.

Because these "shoot-from-the-lip? remarks are habitually spontaneous the idea of being more thoughtful before speaking is probably an unexplored concept.

WHY WOULD A SMART PERSON SAY STUPID THINGS?
Sometime in our past we heard these pop-off comments and thought they sounded clever. We adopted them as part of our speech and conversation patters. But, while we may think we sound clever, others may perceive them as just plain "smart-ass."

SO WHAT'S THE SOLUTION?

(1) The formula for breaking detrimental "shoot-from-the-lip" habits requires that we first recognize the fact "there are no neutral words or comments." This means that every single word or comment you speak, moves you forward or sets you back. Things never stay the same.

(2) Words once spoken can never be recalled. That gives even more credibility to the expressio
" you never get asecond chance to make a first impression."

SHOOTING FROM THE LIP CAN WOUNDnINNOSCENT BYSTANDERS.
The ripple effect

The "never shoot-from-the-lip" rule especially applies to meeting people for the first time. Avoiding stupid, unprepared and stupid comments is more important dealing with first time encounters. Even more than with old friends and acquaintances.

Why you ask? Aren't old friends more important because we have an investment of time in the relationship?

The answer is no!
Sometimes old friends will forgive you because they may know you say stupid things you don't necessarily mean. But, on a first encounter you don't get a chance to fix up your screw-up.

This is where the old adage "you don't get a second Chance to make a first impression" In such circumstances your silly "favorite expression" can live on to haunt you forever.

MY CHALLENGE TO YOU is to clearly identify your target. Then select the right ammunition from your arsenal. Get your target in the cross-hairs. Then pull the trigger. YOUR SECOND CHALLENGE is to think first. Choose your words and your responses with precision and care.