“Men are apt to mistake the strength of their feeling for the strength of their argument. The heated mind resents the chill touch and relentless scrutiny of logic.”

William E. Gladstone

Have you been so passionate in a belief that you couldn’t even see or accept an alternative opinion or argument? What prevents you from being able to see and consider logic and the opinions of others?

Sometimes we are so wrapped up in being right that we can’t focus on what is right… When this happens the best thing to do is to pause, step away from the argument emotionally, and try and see the it from another angle.

But how do you pause? Especially when you are passionate and emotional?

For me I find it most effective to take a deep breath and ask myself two questions: “Am I more interested in being right or doing what is right?” Then the follow along question is: “If I were sitting in the other persons seat, what would I consider to be ‘right?'”

It doesn’t always work, but I know if I can’t get to a point where I can logically consider another persons point of view, then I am not ready to make a decision.