Many people find themselves interrupting and completing other people's sentences for them. It is a very unwelcoming habit and it is usually possible to see the reaction from those interrupted - it's usually a very clear sign of irritation.
You can get these results from them - they can even avoid you.
Are you among those with this habit? When the pattern of interruption occurs frequently it can be annoying and this will annoy others and potentially hurt interpersonal relationships.
If you have this habit, then it means that you are either impatient or excited. Moreover, it can be a sign of lack of confidence or perhaps you already understand what the other person is trying to explain.
Again it might be a sign of a disorder known as Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The most important thing here is realizing that you have the problem, accepting it and learning to concentrate on what other people say, this way you can stop interrupting other people and finishing their sentences.
You will maybe realize that people are avoiding conversations with you and this is bad news for you. The following tips will help you overcome interrupting and concluding other people's sentences:
• Practice Silence to Stop Interruption
After realizing you have the problem of interrupting and completing people's sentences, seek help from family and friends. Let them know your problem and ask them to tell you when you interrupt conversations.
Doing this will make you conscious of your mistake and it will help you to avoid it slowly. Friends and family will usually be glad to help you but if the problem affects them too, it's worth being careful who you ask to help.
• Take a Breath
When you are in a conversation, a deep breath can be very useful. Take a deep breath until you are sure the person has finished talking. Taking a breath will help you delay your brain and remind you to get back for air before talking.
Breath is a natural tool that helps you pause by giving the other person the chance to finish speaking.
• Pay Attention When People Are Talking
Remember to stay silent. Once you have practiced how not to interrupt others, now make it real.
Anytime you begin talking with someone, the risk of finishing their sentence will always be there.
Be alert about this, allow people to speak as you think about taking a breath, you can even try to bite your tongue to stop yourself.
Keep in mind that even if your interruption wasn't negative, people can take it negatively. If this worries you, remind yourself that keeping silent for some time doesn't harm and it will help you at last. Paying close attention to a conversation is usually a good idea.
• Develop Personal Active Listening Skills
Listening actively is crucial in a conversation.
Whilst in a conversation, it is well worth listening to what the other person is saying instead of making yourself busy thinking about what to say in your reply. If you learn to be a good listener, you will overcome the habit of interruption.
After developing this skill, you will realize that you no longer interrupt conversations as often and you'll start to understand that you are adding to the discussion rather than destroying it.
• Learn To Ask the Other Person if He or She is Done
Do you want to say something? Ask if they are done!
Find a subtle way to ask the question - it's not generally considered polite to ask someone if they've stopped talking yet. This will tell the person that you are actually interested in the whole conversation.
Doing this is simple: just watch the person's mouth, you can normally tell if they have finished speaking and if you are not sure, ask them if they still have something to add on top, always practice this and you will be closer to being perfect.
• Know that You Complete Other People's Sentences
Once you realize you complete people's sentences, you will be able to see their reactions towards this habit.
Being attentive is always worth doing in any conversation rather than letting your mind drift.
If you realize that people react badly to your interruptions and that this is leading to worse relationships, ask yourself why you are doing this.
The break isn't meant to be negative. To overcome the problem, figure out the reason you finish people's sentences. This way you can work on solving the problem.
Your culture or background could be the problem but it's often natural.
People from cultures such as African, Mediterranean, Arab and East European use a conversation technique known as "High Involvement Style" which means that completing people's sentences is a way to improve a rapport. If them is in your cultural backrgound then it helps explain your problem.
Women are said to complete other people's sentences more than men - it is also perceived as a way of building relationships. Additionally, see if other factors make you interrupt and complete others' sentences.
In conclusion, when listening to someone and speaking yourself out; always try to relax. It will help you to catch further any cases of concluding people's sentences. Moreover, do not take too long to speak otherwise you will never have the chance to add any important idea to the conversation.
If you'd like more help to stop completing other people's sentences, check this page.