Overcoming Negative Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

1. Identify a communication problem that happens repeatedly in your life

2. Describe a recent situation when this occurred, including what you thought, said, and did and the results.

3. Critically self-reflect on the situation, identifying links between your thoughts and feelings and your behavior.

4. Prevent the prophecy from recurring by blocking any negative links between your thoughts and feelings and your behavior.

Critical Self-Reflection

...from my awesome Interpersonal Communications book, Reflect and Relate...

To engage in critical self-reflection, ask yourself the following questions:

• What am I thinking and feeling?
• Why am I thinking and feeling the way I am?
• How am I communicating?
• How are my inner thoughts and feelings affecting my communication behavior?
• How can I improve my thoughts, feelings, and communication behavior?