Back to Back Issues Page
Dr. DeFoore's Healing Anger Newsletter entitled "Admitting When You're Wrong"
November 15, 2020

Admitting When You're Wrong
How To Do It & How It Helps


admitting when you're wrong



November 15, 2020
Healing Anger Newsletter, Issue #150

Archive issue from August, 2017


Contents Of This Newsletter

How To Handle Being Wrong In Relationships


It's going to happen. You're human. And, when you know how to handle being wrong and moving ahead, you'll be much stronger and more successful in your relationships.

While it may seem strong to "always be right," it's actually a huge weakness...and it's just not true. Plus, you're very likely to get angry while defending your viewpoint and trying to prove that you're right.

This is not about winning the argument, it's about reconnecting with your partner.

Here are some steps to take when you realize you're wrong:

I know this isn't always easy. If you have a lot of personal shame, for example, it may seem impossible to admit when you're wrong and apologize, because it might feel like falling into a pit of shame and self-loathing.

So, you want a strong foundation emotionally, in order to do this successfully. That's what you'll get by building your self-esteem, and doing other types of inner work on yourself.

The important thing here is that you're taking responsibility for your actions in order to make the relationship better. Responsibility is sometimes described as "response-ability," or the ability to respond.




"Taking responsibility for yourself increases your freedom to choose and act according to your very best of intentions."

William DeFoore


This is not about groveling or beating yourself up. It's simply a matter of stepping up and doing the right thing.

A friend once asked me, "Would you rather be right or happy?" Good question. The point is, if you get too attached to being right, you might have to give up on happiness along the way.





Keep your positive connections strong by discovering all of the ways to participate in the Goodfinding Community Online page.


apologizing


Why Apologizing Isn't Enough


Here's the deal...sometimes you might think that apologizing after you've hurt someone should make it all better. It doesn't. It might help, but only if it's followed with lasting behavior change.

You know, the whole "actions speak louder than words" really applies here. Empty apologies just won't cut it.

While it may be hard for some people to apologize, it's certainly easier to say the words, "I'm sorry" than it is to change your behavior and keep that change in place no matter what.

Here are some steps you can take to make the lasting changes:

  • Be sure you've taken care of your own underlying emotional issues. The Nurturing Your Inner Child program is perfectly suited for this.

  • Put yourself in the other person's shoes, and try to imagine how they felt when you did whatever you did. Express this to them, with statements like, "When I look at this from your viewpoint, I can see how you felt (hurt, scared, angry, disappointed, upset)."

  • Take a look at your own personal history, and how your actions relate to that. Acknowledge the underlying issues behind your behavior, and make a commitment to work on those so that it doesn't happen again.

  • Use these mental rehearsal techniques to plan how you're going to respond and behave differently in the future.

  • Make your apology "stick." Don't actually apologize until you're ready to do the work on yourself to make sure the wrongdoing doesn't happen again.

Self awareness is key here. You have to know about your own shortcomings, triggers and areas of weakness to successfully apologize and change your behavior from that point forward.

If you don't know yourself, you really don't know what you're "bringing to the table" in a relationship. If you love that other person, you want to make sure you're offering them a good deal in the relationship.

You can see how self love and self-esteem fit in here...if you feel good about who and how you are, then you know you're offering something good and valuable to your partner.


.


roles in marriage


This highly effective audio program, available as a CD or MP3 download, will help you understand and improve the roles you play in your marriage and other important relationships.

Take advantage of the free previews when you click on the image above, and the no-risk return policy that guarantees your satisfaction.






Welcome To New Subscribers


The Healing Anger Newsletter brings you a refreshing, helpful and upbeat approach to anger management and how it can work for you in every aspect of your life. Here is your chance to keep up with my (Dr. DeFoore here) latest discoveries and insights on anger management and how you can heal the anger in yourself, your family, your school and your workplace.

If you like this ezine, please do a friend and me a big favor and "pay it forward" by forwarding it to them. If a friend did forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting the Healing Anger Newsletter subscription page.

Back to Top of Page



What's New On The Web Site?




New web pages for you. Read new contributions from good folks like you, such as I'm A Good Woman But An Angry Mom by a woman who desperately wants to be able to show love to her children, and My Husband Is A Bully by a woman trying to decide on what to do about her marriage..

We Have A Mobile Site. Please visit our site, AngerManagementResource.com using your smart phone, and check out the mobile version of the site. I would really appreciate your feedback -- just look for your favorite information, and see if you find it easy to navigate. Then let me know what you think! Thanks in advance.

Check Out Our Facebook Page! It gives you all of the latest updates from Dr. DeFoore and visitors like you. To follow us on Facebook, just go to Anger Management Resource by Dr. William DeFoore and click on "Like" at the top of the page -- or, follow us on Twitter!

New Web Site! That's right, Dr. DeFoore (that's me) has created an all new web site that is all about helping you feel good about yourself and the world around you. Visit goodfinding.com and find lots of positive, upbeat perspectives to help you with your anger and every aspect of your life, and sign up for the Goodfinding Newsletter, and/or the Daily Goodfinding Quotes.

P.S. Why not make the rest of your life the best of your life? You can get started right now with Elegant Aging: Growing Deeper, Stronger and Wiser.

P.P.S. Did you know that I offer telephone (including Skype and Face Time video phone) counseling around the world? That's right, from the comfort of your home, you can get professional counseling from me, Dr. William DeFoore. Contact us now to schedule a session!


Back to Top of Page



Back to Back Issues Page