Selecting a communication goal

Selecting a communication goal

In Part 5, you will imagine implementing the new behaviors you identified in 4E. In Part 6, you will practice your new behavior by role-playing with a family member or close friend who is not directly involved in your goal. It is still not time to actually implement your new behaviors, as Parts 5 and 6 will help you to iron out the wrinkles.

Note: Submit both CCC Part 5 and CCC Part 6 in one document, but start a new page for CCC Part 6.

Project Timeline

Part

Description

Due

1

Selecting a communication goal

Week 1

2

Describing communication patterns

Week 2 & 3

3

Establishing behavioral goals: What will it look like when I am doing it well?

Week 3

4

Analyzing the goal

Week 4

5

Covert Rehearsal: Practicing in your imagination

Week 5

6

Behavioral Rehearsal: Practicing your new behavior

Week 5

7

Actual Implementation: Performing your behavior in real-life situations

Week 7

8

Evaluating your progress

Week 8

Instructions: Part 5

5A. Covert Rehearsal
Covert Rehearsal is an effective way of trying out new communication behaviors. Think about a time that you were daydreaming, or dreaming at night. You can use your imagination to think about an experience or situation that is not really happening at that time or in that place. You can do the same type of simulation on purpose to think about a time and place that will allow you to practice your new interpersonal communication skill to meet your goal as outlined in your new behaviors listed in CCC Part 4E.

By covertly rehearsing, you make it much more likely that you will be actually performing the behavior comfortably and effectively in real life situations. This surprising effect of covert rehearsal has been shown in numerous studies. What makes covert rehearsal particularly useful is that you can carry it around and do it anywhere – in the shower, cleaning, cooking, and so forth. The more you vary covertly rehearsing a particular episode, the more likely you will be able to perform well in the actual situation. For example, if you are planning to initiate and maintain a conversation with your neighbor, you should think through a number of possible topics and questions before finally choosing what you perceive to be the best options. In other words, think before you speak. Plan what you will say and do in a particular situation where you can practice your goal.

Covert rehearsal can be used both to prepare for an upcoming communication event, and to evaluate and revise an event that has already occurred – as in instant replay. This is done all the time for sports teams. Each player watches the game again and decides how he or she could do it better next time. Both planning ahead before a conversation and reflecting after a conversation will increase the probability that you will perform your new skill effectively the next time you use it.

Note that some people initially find it difficult to imagine specific conversations with others. Keep with it if you have difficulty. You will eventually succeed with practice, and when you do, you will be amazed at the effect. If you are having a hard time talking to people in your mind, speak to yourself out loud or speak to your reflection in the mirror. Think about the following: