A simple technique to improve your social skills

What if we encounter fog on the highway? We instinctively brake and slow down. We can now drive slower and see better. We can develop our social skills by how we react in such a situation.

We've all had awkward situations, unexpected criticism, or conflicts we didn't want to be in. Thus, using "the fog sheet technique," we can avoid all these problems.

Before resuming, stop, breathe three times, feel, and respond compassionately.

Deepak Chopra

We slow down our emotions that make us react impulsively to what we detest with the fog sheet technique. If we receive unexpected criticism, we may feel furious and tempted to act unkindly.

Humiliating, embarrassing, or conflicting situations might reveal a side of ourselves we can't control. A component of us that wants to shield us from perceived threats or attention. Thoughts like “they are judging me”, “they are not valuing me”, and “they want to humiliate me” will generate nervousness and tension.

What happens when we let emotions rule our actions? We bite our fingers later because our emotions produce impulses we wouldn't channel now.

The fog patch technique helps us realise the need of stopping till we can see better. Thus, we may notice our emotions and regulate their energy and message for our benefit. This will strengthen our social skills and reduce the need to apologise and make amends.

Anything unexpected can be delayed.
Reacting promptly to something unexpected is one of the most perfidious temptations but also one of the most survival-promoting. This could be a dispute or criticism.

Sometimes we debate, fight, refute, or rationalise our predicament because something inside us is shouting “you can't wait!” instead of giving ourselves time and employing the fog patch technique.

Today, most "surprises" are social: it's rare to see a lion wandering around town, which may necessitate a quick response. Thus, in most circumstances we have enough time to clear our emotional cloud and respond in a more coherent and long-term healthy manner.

When a friend tells us we can't always stay with them due to work or other obligations, we won't argue or shout that they're not always available.

This describes the natural and emotional response. However, with fog sheets, our approach would likely be different. We would stop ourselves and respond, “I understand that you are angry because you believe that I am never there for you” when our friend accused us.

We communicate our friend without agreeing. We comprehend their perspective, which may calm things.

This will allow us to reflect and discuss the matter when no one is angry or irritated. Thus, we may show our friend that not always staying is distinct from never staying and that they are vital in our lives even if they have to coexist with our obligations and employment.

Fog is a social skill-building tool we should all use, especially in the most dangerous situations. This showed how it improves relationships and emotion management.

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