Have you ever found yourself in a heated argument or dispute with someone close to you and struggled to find a way to resolve it? The 48-Hour Voice Note Challenge is a powerful tool for conflict resolution that can help you and the other party work through disagreements in a productive and amicable way.
Introducing the 48-Hour Voice Note Challenge: A Tool for Effective Conflict Resolution
At Open Mind Mediation, we're always looking for new and innovative ways to help our clients resolve disputes amicably. That's why we're excited to introduce the 48-Hour Voice Note Challenge - a powerful tool that can help parties resolve conflicts in a productive and positive way.
The 48-Hour Voice Note Challenge is a type of conflict exercise that can be used in a variety of situations. Whether you're co-parenting, working with a business partner, or trying to resolve a conflict with a friend, this exercise can help you communicate effectively and reach a positive outcome.
Here's how it works:
1. Create a WhatsApp group for the argument and agree to the rules.
The first step is to create a new WhatsApp group for the argument or dispute. In this group, both parties will agree to the rules of the 48-Hour Voice Note Challenge and can paste the rules as the first message. These rules will help ensure that communication is productive and positive.
2. Use only this group to address the argument.
In this group, parties are only allowed to address the argument or dispute. This is important because it helps separate the argument from the rest of their communication, which can continue in their normal chat. This allows both parties to stay focused on resolving the conflict, without the conflict hindering simple arrangements that possibly need to be made throughout the day.
3. Send only voice notes in this group chat.
The next rule is that parties are only allowed to send voice notes in this group chat. This is to allow each party to voice their concerns naturally, and to ensure that messages are interpreted audibly and not incorrectly due to text interpretation without voice context. It is also helpful for parties to give the messages another listen after changing scenery or when they might have had the chance to calm down.
4. Set aside 48 hours for the exercise.
Parties must set aside a productive 48 hours to resolve the dispute amicably but do not need to take unnecessary time out of their day. This timeframe allows for a thorough exchange of thoughts and ideas, but it's also short enough to ensure that the exercise doesn't drag on unnecessarily. Responding after a minimum of 2 hours also allows for day-to-day activities to continue whilst the message is being processed.
5. Parties are allowed 24 voice messages.
Parties are only allowed 24 voice messages total, 12 messages each. Once the first voice note is sent (from the party who initiated the exercise), no response may be sent before 2 hours have passed. This leaves time for the other party to carefully consider what was said, without responding immediately, therefore being forced to give the message more thought and leaving impulsive replies out of it.
6. Number each message and respond in your own time.
Every voice note is preceded by the number out of 24, so 1/24, followed by the message, and so forth. Each party may respond in their own time, when they are able to, but may not respond before the 2 hours have passed (between each message). No party may urge the other party to respond, as that will take up one of the 24 allowed messages. This allows both parties to carefully consider their responses and avoid impulsive or emotional reactions. The issues are narrowed down and things stay to the point.
7. Use all 24 message slots.
Parties are also required to use all 24 message slots. This rule ensures that parties don't waste time arguing over points that are not pertinent to the issues at hand. In the event that the conflict is resolved before all 24 message slots are used, the remainder of the slots should still be utilized - take the time to process the solution you have reached.
8. The party whose turn it is after the parties have gone to sleep, starts the next morning.
The final rule is that the party whose turn it is after the parties have gone to sleep starts the next morning. This rule ensures that both parties have a chance to rest and reflect on the conversation before continuing.
The Importance of the 48-Hour Voice Note Challenge
The 48-Hour Voice Note Challenge is an effective tool for conflict resolution for several reasons. By creating a separate group chat for the argument or dispute, parties can focus their communication on the issues at hand.
Using only voice notes allows for the natural expression of emotions and tone, which can help prevent misunderstandings due to misinterpretation of text messages. It also encourages parties to take the time to carefully consider their words before responding, reducing the likelihood of saying something in the heat of the moment that they may later regret.
The 48-hour lifespan: The 48-hour time limit ensures that the exercise is not dragged out indefinitely, creating unnecessary stress and anxiety. It also emphasizes the importance of addressing the dispute promptly and working towards a resolution.
The 24-message limit: The 24-message limit encourages parties to prioritize and carefully consider their messages before sending them. It also discourages the exchange of frivolous messages and focuses on the essential issues that need to be resolved.
The importance of a night's sleep: The inclusion of a night's sleep allows for the opportunity to gain clarity and perspective, which can be helpful in resolving the dispute amicably. The pause in communication also helps to prevent the escalation of the argument.
By following these rules, parties can approach the dispute with a clear and focused mindset, allowing them to work towards a mutually beneficial solution. This exercise can be useful not only for co-parents but for anyone seeking a peaceful and productive way to resolve a conflict.
So, if you find yourself in a dispute or argument, why not try the 48-hour voice note challenge? By doing so, you may discover a new, more effective way to communicate and resolve conflicts in a calm and respectful manner.
Commentaires