Being flexible is an art. If it is hard for you to be flexible, you need to start practicing how to do it, because it will serve you well.

When people approach you with a problem or an idea, what happens? Whether you are a caregiver, a student or a spouse, the goal you need to strive for is to be a good listener. Don’t anticipate what a person is going to say, and do not finish a person’s sentence. Some people get in the habit of assuming they will know what a person will say or how they will react, so they stop asking. What might be worse is when a person is totally left out of a discussion, because their response is “so predictable.”

If you know someone like that, or if you tend to be like that, start working on changing your reaction to other people. Stop and listen to what they are saying, before you add your two cents. Ask questions. Find out how the other person arrived at the conclusion that they did. Surprise them. Most important: don’t react with a negative comment. Be willing to discuss the other person’s opinion and voice your concerns if you have them.

Leave the door open for more discussion. It’s all about changing the behavior. Meet them half-way.

                                                                                                                                                              “Now let’s get going!” xo Sally