When we’re not clear we risk being more easily misunderstood—upsetting ourselves and other people (finances and well-being).  Don’t cause trouble when it’s not necessary to do so.

When you arm yourself with the right protection (attitude and and strategies) no one gets hurt —has to to attack or defend, unnecessarily.

1. Put things in writing.

2. Repeat, repeat, repeat—and get feedback and acknowledgment.

3. (Formal) confirmation and agreement should come with a signature or payment.

4. Follow protocols that are tried and proven (for contracts, events, and shared arrangements).

1. If it’s not mentioned, it might not exist in actuality—only in your head.

2. Just because you do things one way, it doesn’t mean others will follow suit naturally.

3. You can’t know for sure that another person understands/agrees unless he tells you he does.

4.  Some situations require discussion and compromise—need to be addressed upfront, not put on hold in the hope they’ll go away.

1. Look at what you and the other party could have done differently, separately and together.

2. Realize that if you didn’t protect yourself in advance, there’s little you can do later for reparation.

3. If deception by the other party was intentional (took advantage of your weaknesses), you know who to avoid in the future.

4. Protect yourself:  learn from your mistakes, and others’ manipulations.  Plan, do, and think differently for future happenings and encounters.

1. There are two sides to every story and many interpretations of what actually occurs.

2. There’s only one actual truth (and set of facts).  That truth might reveal that no party is entirely wrong or right in their reactions.  If guidelines are vague, outcomes might be too.

3. Consider all sides and angles and know and try to act in good faith.  If you do that, you can’t blame yourself—and no one else should blame you.

4.  Try your very best every time, even if you’ve been burned before.  Outcomes can’t always be taken personally.  Others mistakes are, sometimes, inevitable.

When we, ourselves, take responsibility—make the extra effort to be clear— fewer misunderstandings will occur with others. Energy doesn’t get wasted needlessly, with plain sailing offering fresh possibilities and hope.