Do Ya’ Know What I’m Sayin’?
Aarggh! Lock me up and throw away the key the next time I hear someone screech like an owl in my dear little ear: “Do ya’ know what I’m sayin’?” Why on earth should I understand or know what you’re saying if YOU don’t know what you’re thinking, feeling or saying? But as a gifted psychologist, of course, and truthfully, typically I DO know what emotions the speaker is struggling to describe.
IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO GOOD COMMUNICATION MOVES
I’m sure you’re right! It all boils down to good communication moves, as I explain and freely teach you some smooth new talk moves in my latest book, “Talk to Me.” How well do you feel these one-liners point your communicator car in the right direction vs. ready you for a good laugh at YOU:
- Do ya’ know what I’m sayin’?
- Do ya’ agree with me, or what?
- Do ya’ hear what I’m tellin’ ya’?
- Do you know what I mean?
- You know what I’m talkin’ about?
- See what I mean?
- You’ve got to agree with me that I’m right, right?
- It’s like…you know?
- Do you see what I’m saying?
- Do you know where I’m at here?
- Yeah, um, huh, do you know what I’m saying about all of that?
- I don’t understand why everyone just can’t get along, ya’ know?
- Things have to be his or her way or not at all, get my drift?!
- Do you know what I’m talkin’ about?
LET ME MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR TO YOU WHAT I’M SAYING
Are you fogging up the windshield of your mind with a bunch of jive talking? I’m tryin’ to talk to you here, dear reader, do ya’ know what I’m talkin’ about? Let me make it perfectly clear: “Know what I’m saying?” people fill my ears with the same noxious noises, as if someone’s fingernails were scratching across a chalk board. I can’t be responsible for my reactions, do ya’ know what I mean?
THE EMOTIONS TALKING MODE
No, it’s not easy to openly describe your emotions unashamedly and vulnerably to anyone. So we use “talk fillers” to help us fill in the “communication blanks.” I can’t help having a little more fun with this head-nodding notion: “I’m checkin’ in to see if you’re freakin’ out about me flippin’ out about the intensity of my feelings which makes no logical sense whatsoever but I swear on my mother’s grave that that’s exactly what I’m feeling and saying today.” Whew…your emotions sure DO communicate when you drive in the Emotions (E) talk mode.
ABOUT KEYNOTE SPEAKER, PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION COACH AND “TALK TO ME” SEMINAR LEADER…DR. DENNIS O’GRADY
Do ya’ know what I’m sayin’? I’m doin’ pretty great, do ya’ know what I mean? Dr. Dennis O’Grady is still practicing communication psychology after 30+ years of being entertained and enlightened by all sorts of communication detours and puzzles. The leadership commuication insights he’s gleaned from being a human being, and also a doctoral-level trained and licensed psychologist, are found in his latest book: “Talk to Me: Communication Moves To Get Along With Anyone” available at this site and at Amazon. Do ya’ know what I’m sayin’? Do ya’ know where I’m coming from here? O’Grady is licensed to drive on the two-way communicator highway, and prefers to turn the radio station off when it blares out mixed messages that miss their mark. Get what I’m talkin’ about here?
Know this: “Distraction” is the world’s best defense of mediocrity and interpersonal power-brokering.
Comment by Dr. Dennis O'Grady — January 26, 2007 @ 8:35 am
I hear “Do you know what I’m saying?” as a directive of “You better agree with what I’m telling you to do!” I’m an E-type who doesn’t like to make people mad, so I go along to get along and act like I agree when I don’t.
Comment by Ron — January 26, 2007 @ 9:16 am
Big talk. Big talkers. People are big talkers about what’s right and wrong for me to do. You expect me to cancel my life? To do what you want me to do? Then why don’t you first take care of your side of the communication street?
Comment by Donald — January 26, 2007 @ 9:20 am
Doors start to open, and I start getting somewhere accomplishing something, then I hit some potholes on the road and lose direction and enthusiasm. I’m learning with your help to stay on-focus and tap reserves I didn’t know I had.
Comment by Art — January 26, 2007 @ 9:23 am
Dennis,
Interesting points if I catch your drift. We just had a mastermind meeting at my home last night. Have you ever done one before?
Tom,
I believe the meetings of change I hold using my communication system are “mastermind” meetings, if I understand you. Namely, 1+1=3 synergy. In fact, I would like to research how the four individual communicator subtypes of Intuiters, Leaders, Seers, Inventers; when joined together around the communicator table, will spontaneously bring about new solutions to stale old problems.
Comment by Dr. Dennis O'Grady — January 26, 2007 @ 4:00 pm
I liked you in the Jim DeBrosse Dayton Daily News (01/21/2007) article “Parental tracking of kids’ cell phone bugs some children.”
His article said that in a recent nationwide survey, the research and consulting firm C.J. Driscoll & Associates found that from a third to half of parents surveyed had a strong interest in tracking their kids.
“But is tracking a tool for parenting or policing?”
“Can’t we use the old-fashioned way of telling the truth?” said Dennis O’Grady, a Dayton-area communications psychologist who blogs on how to talk to teens (www.dennisogrady.com/?p=252). I like the advantages of positive communication and a good relationships between parents and children.”
Sure makes me wonder if parental tracking of kids’ cell phones bugs some parents, too.
Comment by Angie — January 26, 2007 @ 7:16 pm