Maybe You Are Right

It’s not often you get meaningful advice but now and again a piece of advice resonates with you in a deep-seated way.

An example is one that my brother recently shared with me and it simply says, ‘Maybe you’re right’. He told me he has used this for many years to avoid explaining or defending himself especially to people who have chosen to judge him. As I pondered on the phrase, I came up with more scenarios where it could come in handy.

Maybe You’re right and Avoiding Arguments

He uses this statement to avoid having an argument especially when he realises the other party has formed an opinion rightly or wrongly or relating to him from a place of bias. ‘Maybe you’re right’ shuts down any prolonged conversation and even if they try to extend the conversation, you simply repeat the phrase.

Eventually the other party gets the message that you are unwilling to waste time on an argument and you’ve handed them the win anyway so they eventually take their little win and leave you to your priceless peace of mind.

‘Maybe You’re right’ and Avoiding Frustrations

The main reason people continue down the path of an argument is that they want to win, have the last word, win you over to their way of thinking or prove they are right and you are wrong.

Once people are in this frame of mind, nothing short of them winning will do so the earlier you hand the win over to them on a platter of gold, the earlier you can move on with your life and find other ways to make the most of the time saved.

It might sound like you’re giving in especially if you think or even know you are right but it is about considering the price you will pay in continuing a frustrating conversation versus walking away with your mental and emotional health intact.

This doesn’t mean you believe they are right but you are willing to consider the possibility to give them the win they so desperately need. You often find that some people will still try to continue the argument because something in them wants to win on their own terms and nothing short of feeling they have persuaded you will do.

But when you stand your ground by repeating the same phrase as often as needed, they will eventually lose steam and grudgingly take their win.

‘Maybe you’re right’ and Decision Making

‘Maybe you’re right’ is also useful when someone is trying to sell you an idea or product that you don’t want to buy or believe in. That little doubt that is left is enough to buy you some time or right to take a timeout from making an immediate decision.

It is saying you’re not fully convinced and no one in their right minds will expect you to make a decision when you are not sure it is right for you.

‘Maybe you’re right’ and Receiving Feedback

‘Maybe you’re right’ is also a good position to take when receiving feedback that you feel unsure about or don’t agree with. It gives the giver the opportunity to feel heard and gives you, the receiver, an opportunity to take a step back to consider and weigh the feedback to realise they may be right even if you don’t want them to be.

‘Maybe You’re right’ and Self Reflection

Finally it is a powerful statement when we turn the light on ourselves and switch it up to it mean, ‘maybe they are right’.

What if they are right and what can I do about it? What can I learn from what they’ve shared if there is a possibility that they are right? What could I have done differently during the conversation and what takeaways are available to help me in the future.

At the end of the day, people and us can be wrong or right; the important thing is not getting stuck on a conversation or situation. End it well and end it quickly, save yourself, and your friendships or relationships in the process and live a good live.

If they are right about you, it’s not the end of your life and if they are wrong about you, it’s no big deal. Time will tell and your results will eventually speak for you. Hindsight is 20:20.

Thanks for reading and sharing my post. Have a fantastic week.