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We’ve all run into communication issues in various settings. From the office to your home life, there are many times when what you are saying just isn’t what the other person is hearing. Here are three obstacles you may have to overcome in order to get your point across and some ways to over come them.

Language Barriers

1. Actually having different native languages.
   Even if you are both fluent in BOTH native languages, things will still get lost in translation. In situations like this, be very conscious of the customs of the other.
   ~In a lot of languages, there is what is considered a respectful form of each verb. Figure out how that works in their language. If using your native tongue that has no such thing, be sure not to get too casual
   ~Avoid idioms. You might know what you mean when you say “the cat got his tongue” but it may not translate well to the other person.
   ~Be very precise in your selections of words and don’t use something that is considered slang: i.e. only use the word cool to indicate temperature.
2. Male V. Female
   Even when you both speak the same native language and come from the same region, it can be hard to communicate clearly with the opposite sex sometimes.Female to Male
   ~One of the easiest ways I have found it to keep it short, sweet and to the point when communicating with men. It has seemed to help cut down on miscommunication.
   ~Make sure you don’t assume he understands the subtext. Say exactly what you mean and he won’t miss a thing.

   Male to Female
   ~Don’t assume she wants you to fix things unless she says so or she’s talking about a task you know she doesn’t have skills for. Even then, ask if that’s what she wants just to cover your arse.
   ~Realize she will over analyze everything you say or do for at least six  months if you are pursuing a romantic relationship.
   ~Any gents have some suggestions here? I’ve run out!

Time

We are all busy people these days. Finding the right time to talk with someone is essential to getting your point across.

• Be sure to ask if this is a good time to discuss something.
• If you have a set amount of time scheduled, stick to that. Use less if at all possible.
• Even in personal or romantic relationships, be sure to schedule time to sit down and really discuss things, especially if you are having a problem. Be sure you pick a time when the kids are in bed or elsewhere and there will be no distractions.

Your own fears and baggage.

We all have personal things that try to hold us back, even when what we want or need to communicate is important. It can be anything from fear your peers will see your ideas as stupid to fear of rejection to feeling inferior. What ever your personal hindrance is, you need to identify it before you can move past it.

• Once you know what is holding you back, give yourself a statement you can use to get past it. Example: Your fear is being inferior. You might use a statement like “I am just as worthy and able as anyone else in this room. I can do this and do it well”.”
• Recognize this fear is something you can over come, and then work on ways to push pass that fear. Example: You fear being seen as stupid by your peers. You could work on reminding yourself that your own self-image is what is most important. You can remind yourself that we all have stupid moments which are opportunities to learn, not failures.
• Recognize that just because one person treated you badly is not an indication the next person will. Example: Your fear is being rejected. You could focus on what can happen if you aren’t rejected, then realize none of these good things can happen unless you take a chance.

These are just some very simple examples of ways to work around three of the issues you might face in trying to communicate with others. Do you have an awesome tip or trick to deal with some of these? Do you have a great story about how you overcame a misunderstanding and how you plan on avoiding the same type of miscommunication again? Please share those in the comments below so that we can all learn from each other.

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