8 Bad Communication Habits You Need to Break Immediately

                            
 Conversations are a big part of our everyday life. And, whether you think of yourself as a world-class communicator or you're someone who would just rather send an email than deal with face-to-face chatter, chances are you have at least a few bad communication habits that are driving people crazy.
Take a look at these eight common faux pas. If you find yourself guilty of any of them? Well, it's time you pull in the reins and stop -- immediately.

1. Constantly Interrupting

We all have one thing in common when talking: We want to be listened to. So, if you're one of those people who tends to jump in and interrupt or -- even worse -- tries to complete people's sentences for them, you need to keep yourself in check.
You might think your constant interjections are a way to show your level of engagement. But, they really just make you a conversational bulldozer.

2. Multitasking

Conversations deserve your full attention -- and not just the halfhearted glances you're willing to give them when you manage to rip your focus away from your iPhone screen.
Multitasking is a habit we're likely all guilty of. But, you need to be present for your conversations, no matter how menial or futile they may seem. That means no scrolling through your email or subconsciously thinking about your grocery list. Give your conversational partners the attention they deserve.

3. Using Qualifiers

"Don't take this personally, but...", "This might be a bad idea, but...", or "I know what you're thinking, but..."
Qualifiers exist for nearly every situation. But, if you have the tendency to overuse them, you might be driving people up a wall. Why? Well, while these prefacing statements might seem like a great way to sugarcoat your sentences, they often just come off as condescending and unnecessary.

4. Equating Your Experiences

Tell me if this situation sounds familiar: Someone is explaining a difficult problem he's currently facing. You immediately retort with, "I know exactly how you feel!" and then launch into your own long-winded tail of a time you experienced something that's not even the least bit similar.
It's important to remember that human experiences are all different. Your attempts to show empathy are admirable. But, in most cases, you're better off just listening and lending support.

5. Floundering

We've all had to deal with those people who seem to just ramble on endlessly without a point -- those people who appear to only be talking simply because they like the sound of their own voices.
Needless to say, you don't want to garner this reputation for yourself by constantly chiming in without a clear purpose. When you do decide to speak up, make sure that you're prepared to be clear and concise. That's the mark of a skilled communicator.

6. Avoiding Direct Contact

I'm a big fan of the convenience of email and text messages. However, if you've ever dealt with someone who took the time to write out a lengthy message for something he or she could've easily explained to you in-person in as few as two sentences, you know how frustrating that can be.
The never-ending assortment of communication tools available today has made us all a little less willing to actually talk to one another. So, before hitting send on a message, ask yourself if this is something that could be done more efficiently in-person or over the phone. You'll save yourself (and the person on the receiving end!) a lot of headaches.

7. Waiting Instead of Listening

As my mom always loves to tell me, "There's a big difference between hearing and listening!" And, when you're having a conversation with someone, you should be actively listening.
That means you're not just staying silent while thinking of your next point and waiting for your chance to talk again. Instead, you're engaged in what that person is explaining. Trust me -- people can tell when you're tuning them out.

8. Using Filler Words

"Hey, Jason. Umm... I'm just checking in on that, uhhh... report to see if you think you'll, like, have that done by the end of the day."
You knew this one had to make it onto the list somewhere. This is perhaps one of the toughest bad habits to break . We're all so used to littering our sentences with these unnecessary words -- it's like a nervous tick for most of us. But, make your best efforts to cut them out. Your conversations will be much cleaner and more polished.

Breaking a bad habit isn't always easy. But, channel your energy into removing these faux pas from your conversations, and you're sure to be a better communicator.

Written by Kat boogard
twitter.com/kat_boogaard

Kat is a Wisconsin-based freelance writer, mainly covering topics related to careers and self-development. Currently, she's a staff writer for The Muse, the career editor for The Everygirl, and a career-advice blogger for ZipRecruiter and Koru. When she escapes her computer screen, you can find her baby-talking her rescued terrier mutt, pretending to be a runner, or cursing at a recent DIY project.