Buzz
Nobody enjoys conversing with someone who constantly interrupts. It's disrespectful and prevents meaningful communication. Many of us who tend to interrupt are aware of the habit and are tired of being the one who cuts people off. Here are some tips to help you stop.
Understand That Interrupting Hurts Everyone
Above all, it’s crucial to realize that interrupting seldom benefits anyone, including yourself. When you cut someone off, they feel ignored and may continue speaking even more just to make their point. That means you’ll end up listening even more. Worse, they may shut down completely, feeling like their thoughts don’t matter, which defeats the purpose of communication.
Regardless of why you interrupt—whether to win an argument, contribute something insightful, or to seem like the smartest person in the room—listening is almost always the better choice. Listening not only gives you more information for future conversations, but it also makes you seem more thoughtful, since people will eventually seek your opinion. And it prevents you from coming across as a know-it-all. You know who interrupts to make their voice heard? Children. Are you a child?
Practice Holding Your Tongue
Ever heard the saying 'bite your tongue'? Try it—literally. It’s like a challenge. While others are speaking, place your tongue between your teeth. If it slips, you’ve lost, and you're acting like a jerk.
If the idea of actually biting your tongue doesn’t appeal to you (and I get it, it might hurt), just keep your mouth shut. Focus on breathing through your nose, keep your lips sealed, and don’t open them unless someone directly asks you a question. If you catch yourself about to blurt something that would just confirm your role as the world’s best interrupter, pause, take a deep breath, and close your mouth again. The key is ‘practice.’ There’s no quick fix to stopping interruptions—you’ve got to work on changing your own habits.
Give Them a Few Extra Seconds
Sometimes, we interrupt because we assume someone has finished speaking just because they paused. But remember, a pause doesn’t always mean the conversation is over! When someone stops talking, count silently to three in your head before jumping in with your thoughts. If you can manage this, you’ll avoid interrupting by accident.
Take Notes When You’re in a Meeting
One of the main reasons people interrupt (myself included) is because we worry we’ll forget a brilliant idea that we feel is crucial to the conversation. But just because it’s important to us doesn’t mean it needs to be said immediately.
If you’re in a situation where note-taking is feasible, such as at work or school, *Tara Millette at LEADx* suggests jotting down those thoughts instead of blurting them out. This way, you won’t forget them, and you can bring them up later in the discussion, at the right moment, rather than interrupting someone else's flow of thought.
Use the Five-Second Rule
If writing your thoughts down isn’t an option, at least take a moment to mentally review them before you blurt them out. Psychologist *Todd E. Linaman, Ph.D.*, *recommends the five-second rule*:
Quickly evaluate the significance of what you're about to say. When the speaker finishes, count to five in your head while asking yourself, 'Is what I want to say truly necessary for the conversation?' Most of the time, the answer will be 'no.'
You can also begin your five-second countdown the moment a thought crosses your mind, especially if you're already practicing the three-second pause mentioned earlier.
Recognize When You’ve Interrupted and Pull Back
As you work on improving your communication, you’re bound to slip up. Interrupting will still happen from time to time, and that's okay! When it does, try to catch yourself and offer a quick apology. You can stop yourself mid-sentence (you're probably already good at this) and say something like, 'Sorry, I interrupted you—please continue.' After that, return to keeping your mouth shut and taking a moment to review your thoughts before speaking. If you're struggling to catch yourself, consider asking friends, coworkers, or family for help. They’ll likely be happy to remind you to zip it.
