If you’re in a stressful or heated situation or conversation, it’s ok to take a break.
It’s important to circle back around to the original issue some time after the break, though (whether that be 10 minutes later, an hour or the next morning).
There’s a difference between listening to respond and listening to understand.
Put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
Throw assumptions out!
It’s ok to ask for clarification, even if you think you already know something about how someone has acted, what they said, etc. Assumptions more often than not can make things worse.
Mirror Your Therapy Sessions
If you’re unable to remember any communication skill in particular at any given moment, it could be helpful to think about how might your therapist communicate the message to you? How would you want your therapist to say it to you?