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Have you ever babbled at an inopportune moment? Or said things you later regretted? There are at least eight reasons to say nothing. Recognize when to hold your tongue, and you will benefit from the power of silence. 

You are vulnerable when you talk too much 

There's a danger of over-spilling personal data when you talk to the wrong people. Stay silent with strangers when you don't recognize their intentions toward you. Over-talking means you may disclose details about yourself someone will use as ammunition. Stay quiet, and you can listen and get to know the other person better. 

Excessive talking weakens your point 

Babbling dilutes any point you want to get across. The more you say, the easier it is for the person you converse with to get confused or sidetracked. Be succinct when you want to deliver an important message. It will have an impact and be simpler to understand. Also, remember you need not justify your decisions or reasons for your views. Over-explaining casts doubt on your confidence. 

Silence is commanding 

Listen to a song and note the gaps between lines and words. You might recognize those spaces are as necessary to the structure and impact of the music as the lyrics. It's similar when you speak. Your silence is commanding. It underscores what you've said and nudges someone to respond. 

Staying quiet makes you mysterious 

Sometimes it's unhelpful being an open book. Leave your views and personality to new associates' imaginations. Let them get more familiar with you an inch at a time. You'll be more enigmatic and intriguing than when you reveal personal data. You can get better acquainted and recognize whether you want to make them close confidants. 

Silence leaves room for thought 

Emotional conversations are often tricky. People let their feelings override argument structure during heated debates. Pause before speaking and give yourself space to reflect, and you won't get flustered. Consider what you want to say and the best wording to employ to elicit positive results. 

If you lack clarity, your conversations will suffer. You will be more productive if you decelerate and understand what to say. Let your thoughts catch up with your reasoning. Leaving a gap between sentences and after you make a point gives other people the chance to chip in, too. It also provides room for them to absorb information. 

Calmness aids communication 

Occasionally, a forceful tone fueled by annoyance adds weight to words. On the whole, though, delaying discussions until you have a peaceful mindset helps. Your irritation causes you to enter fight-or-flight mode, and your reasoning skills dip, which means you aren't a competent communicator. 

Mostly, angry or frustrated people want to express an opinion, but they perform better when they calm down and regain conversational prowess. So, say nothing until you relax and your brain is engaged. 

People can't judge you when you're silent 

It's a mistake to think divulging everything about yourself makes you more authentic. People don't always need to know your blunders from the past, fears, or personal crises. They may not mean you harm, but they could make snap judgments about you. 

Your past has gone, and anything you did resulted from who you were then. You've changed, and there's no need for anyone to evaluate you based on the old version of you. Share your history with people you trust, but be aloof with new acquaintances. 

Not speaking until the right time affords positive results 

You could identify what you want to say and craft a worthwhile story or argument. But, although you are ready to speak, another person might not listen. When someone's angry, drunk, or stressed, you can have a better conversation with them if you wait for their mental state to change. Pick the right time for meaningful conversations. People are more receptive when they relax. 

Silence is helpful when used well. No one will judge you or gather personal data as ammunition if you are quiet. It can make your words more powerful, too, and provide room for thought. Speak only at the right time, and you will be an effective communicator.