“What ho!” I said.
“What ho!” said Motty.
“What ho! What ho!”
“What ho! What ho! What ho!”
After that it seemed rather difficult to go on with the conversation.”
? P.G. Wodehouse, My Man Jeeves

Dearest Most Fabulous, Amaze Ball Tushkateers,   How’s it hanging?  As in the hanging of the ornaments, the wreaths, the lights?  How the shopping going?  The wrapping of the gifts?  How’s the ingesting going?  The food (oy vey)?  The holiday cookie exchange, the cocktail parties, the office parties, the house parties?   How’s the conversation going?  What? Conversation? -or- What conversation?

A sly segue, as we seamlessly move into the meat n’ potatoes of this week’s Kick in the Tush Club e-letter, Holiday Edition, without pause!   Transitioning from one topic to the next smoothly!  A holiday tip that can help you to drop 5 and have a Merry and a Happy!

Holiday Conversation:  Move Away from the Buffet Table.  Strike Up a Conversation!

It’s true, Tushkateers.  Aside from the profound importance of being engaged and interested in other people, having a satisfying conversation is rewarding in its own right, and it can help you to break the old food patterns.

I practiced “conversation” just this past weekend.  We went to a lovely dinner party (yay, an invitation!!!) and, yes, I engaged in conversation; the food was secondary.  Not that I didn’t enjoy the food, but it wasn’t the beat-all end-all of the evening.  Connecting, sharing stories, laughing…oh my…now that was delicious!

Here, from Our Lady of Weight Loss and Janice Taylor (that’s me), Life & Happiness Coach, weight loss expert, offering up a platter full of conversation tips!

12 Tips:  How to easily and effortlessly have a great conversation.

1. A conversation is not a monologue. Limit yourself to 4 sentences or 40 seconds, whichever comes FIRST.

2. Silence is golden. Just as a pause is important in music – so is a bit of silence in a conversation. Give others an opportunity to jump right in.

3. Be interested in the other person. Be attentive. Ask them questions. Draw them out.

4. Do not offer advice.  Hello, did anyone ask you for your opinion? People really don’t like being told what to do.  Eliminate “you know what you should do” from your conversation!

5. Look for visual signs.  If you see any eye-rolling, clock watching, foot tapping – you’ve overstepped your bounds and more than likely your time limit. 

6. You don’t have to be right. No, really – you don’t.

7. Stick to the topic at hand and roll with it.

8. Don’t tell jokes unless you are truly skilled at it.

9. Be tactful, alert and sympathetic.

10. Always be in good humor. No matter what!  It’s a choice, make it!

11. Don’t preach or take yourself too seriously. Do not dwell on moral issues.

12. Be positive. Negative talk will make you a negative person. YIKES! We don’t want that to happen, do we?

I sincerely hope that at the very least this post reminds you that the holiday is not solely about holiday cookies, eggnog, shopping, ornaments, et cetera.  It’s about love, compassion, kindness; it’s about connecting with each other!  

So…Please do remember to move away from the buffet; strike up a conversation!  AND!!! Please take notes.  Any funny quotes, interesting information gathered from your holiday conversations can be (and should be!!!!) shared!

Share AWAY–Join Our Lady of Weight Loss’s Club:   Kick in the Tush Club/FB.

Happy Holidays!

Spread the word–NOT the icing,

Janice Taylor
wise * fun * utterly useful

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