In this exercise, we look at how important and good it is to record ourselves (with a phone, recorder, voice recorder, or whatever works for us).
The main reason is that we all think of ourselves as honest, but in fact, we are not – we distort situations and the past in the way we would like it to be, not as what it actually is. What we will hear on the recording is reality as it is.
As a bystander, we’ll be able to figure out who was wrong – me or the person I was talking to. We will be able to analyze which word or gesture angered us. Note here –
this will not happen on the first listening.
It is necessary to listen to the recording 4-5 times. Naturally, on the first listening, we will defend our own position. But now look with the eyes of an impartial observer and listen to the recording a second time. You will find that perhaps you are not quite right. To find out exactly where – listen to it a third time. Note the places where you as the “arbitrator” can determine who is wrong. Now, to have evidence for one or the other participant in the conversation, listen to the recording a fourth time. Write down the arguments you would use to refute or support both participants in the conversation.
Now listen to the conversation a fifth time to decide – who was right? And that decision should be fair, just, honest, and impartial. Regardless of whether you like it or not!
