Sep 15, 2022
Today we are tackling the question…is it ever OK to ramble?
OK, now I can't get the Rambling Man out of my head. Thanks, Allman
Brothers.
I mean, it's a different kind of rambling. But still. Have you
ever talked and realized that you're going on and on without making
a point? And then said something like, "Oh, sorry,
I'm rambling?" You're not alone (ask my
hubs; he's heard me do this so many times).
It's pretty common for folks to ask me how to stop rambling.
Getting to your point quickly is important in business, and I'm a
fan. However, "rambling" is such a common occurrence that it got me
thinking... "Is it ever OK to ramble?" I can
now heartily respond...YES! Yes, it's OK to
'ramble.'
That's because, chances are, you're not really rambling. Ramble
doesn't mean what you think it means. Let's look at some
definitions. Ramble, in general terms, means "to
talk in a confused way, often for a long
time."
Are you confused when you're talking?
Probably not, or at least I hope not.
Taking too long?
That's super subjective; context matters.
Medically speaking, rambling means "Fragmented
non-goal directed speech, most often caused by acute brain
disease."
Do you have acute brain disease?
Probably not.
Here's the deal: what you're
calling rambling probably isn't rambling;
it's external
processing (aka talking through your ideas out
loud). Some people talk through their ideas, and some people think
through ideas before sharing them out loud (internal
processing)
Is it wrong to externally
process?
No.
Is internal processing better than
external?
Also no.
They're different.
And that's OK.
Chances are, when you've caught yourself 'rambling,' you're not
rambling (confused or brain-injured). You're working through your
thoughts out loud. There's no need to apologize for that. If you're
worried that you've gone on too long, take a break and ask the
person/people who are listening if they're still with you and/or if
they'd like to add something.
So keep on talking, free from the fear of rambling. There are so
many people that need to hear what you have to say.
Until next time know that I’m rooting for you from the #frontrow.
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