For context, my job involves the use of voice dictation software constantly for 8 hours a day. So I am constantly talking to the computer and thus my threshold to talking to others is significantly reduced.
I also generally enjoy talking as it is in my nature. So I need to combat that.
There is also the caveat that…for politeness and problem solving sake, I still need to be able to respond to questions from others (which is often).
With this in mind, how can I work towards never speaking to anyone unprompted? Does anyone have any specific techniques I can use? I think what I’m really missing is a method. It’s like trying to pain the Mona Lisa without knowing any painting techniques. Thanks.
Out of curiosity, what kind of job do you have that entails 8 hours of dictation per day? That seems patently insane when we have this magic thing called a keyboard. Especially if you have to state your punctuation and deal with errors in the dictation software!
Smile, nod, shake head, thumbs up, thumbs down, facepalm, shrug.
I work with my hands all day! I dictate what I’m doing as I’m doing it. I work in a lab where I’m manipulating and cutting things covered in blood and poo. Dictating is far quicker and cleaned than typing it all out and it means I don’t have to stop manipulating or cutting the specimen to record what I’m doing. Imagine how much quicker it is to read 10 pages out loud than it would be to type the same 10 pages. The voice dictation software works far better than the regular dictation software on your phone because it’s tailored to the type of job I have.
Ok! That’s a valid reason! I was hoping it would be something reasonable that I just couldn’t think of!
My suggestion still stands. Body language and gesture. And if you can, headphones.
Aha my guess was going to be a Radiologist. The not wanting to speak with people tracked too 😆
Is there a reason why you want to speak less?
I can’t stop ruining everything when I do. Everything I say is wrong in some way or another or bothering someone. I need to exist entirely within myself if that makes sense.
Seems impossible for your specific job. Meditate after work to get more distance from it, or look up some other mental exercises to recharge a bit during the day.