Professional Development Forum

Yep - it's about to be that time again: Mercury is going retrograde on 9 September.  (Short explanation: According to astrology, Mercury is the planet that rules communication, and a couple of times a year it appears to move backwards through the sky, or retrograde. While the retrograde is actual science, the impact of that retrograde - that communication is extra messy during this time - is all astrological. This doesn't make it feel any less real for me personally, but it does for some folx.) 


Here's what I'm going to work on while Mercury is retrograde from 9 September through 2 October: 

• Slowing down my pace and double checking details to make sure everything is solid 
• Communicating with patience. (I liken it to the advice people tend to give to public speakers: if you think you're speaking too slowly, you're probably speaking at the right pace. In this case, if I think I'm communicating too much, it's probably the right amount). 
• Gathering as much information as I can before making any decisions.

What about you? Retrograde aside, what do you do to set yourself up for success when it comes to communicating with others?

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Stay awesome,
Quinn
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Thanks for the backgrounder on Mercury in retrograde, Quinn! One of those phrasings I've always heard but didn't really know what it meant. Excellent explanation. :)

To your ultimate question about what do I do to set myself up for success when communicating with others, I fall into the third bullet point camp: gather as much information as I can before doing anything! This is sometimes a hindrance  because I'll keep thinking about things, gathering more information, and not move forward with the ask or discussion -- kind of like continuing to look over the menu after everyone else has ordered and being unable to pick what you want.  This is something I'm working on! Sometimes ya just gotta go with what first looked good to you on that menu! 


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Maria Mooshil
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-31-2022 13:21
From: Quinn Drew
Subject: Mercury & communication

Yep - it's about to be that time again: Mercury is going retrograde on 9 September.  (Short explanation: According to astrology, Mercury is the planet that rules communication, and a couple of times a year it appears to move backwards through the sky, or retrograde. While the retrograde is actual science, the impact of that retrograde - that communication is extra messy during this time - is all astrological. This doesn't make it feel any less real for me personally, but it does for some folx.) 

This article from Bustle describes it nicely:

"As the planet of logistics and mental matters, Mercury's infamous retrograde periods are known for causing mishaps in the realms of timing, talking, texting, technology, and more. While these backspins have a reputation for being obnoxious, they're not inherently bad - they simply direct us to slow down and assess where we're at instead of starting anything new. The real trouble with Mercury retrograde arises when we try to charge ahead instead of embracing the backward-moving flow. That said, retrogrades are a good time to review our current plans, revisit our recent decisions, and be more intentional with the information we share or consume. Afterward, we'll be able to move forward with more clarity and confidence."

Here's what I'm going to work on while Mercury is retrograde from 9 September through 2 October: 

• Slowing down my pace and double checking details to make sure everything is solid 
• Communicating with patience. (I liken it to the advice people tend to give to public speakers: if you think you're speaking too slowly, you're probably speaking at the right pace. In this case, if I think I'm communicating too much, it's probably the right amount). 
• Gathering as much information as I can before making any decisions.

What about you? Retrograde aside, what do you do to set yourself up for success when it comes to communicating with others?

------------------------------
Stay awesome,
Quinn
------------------------------

@Maria Mooshil your response reminded me of a communication model I learned about in a training class. I've used it a few times--both professionally and personally--and it has worked really well​ in difficult situations:
1. State the facts of the situation
2. Explain how I feel about it
3. Describe what I need
4. Ask how we can move forward together

It takes a little bit of planning ahead of time, but it lends itself to a natural conversation about facts, feelings, needs, and working together.

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Maria Liccardo
Evanston
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-09-2022 10:16
From: Maria Mooshil
Subject: Mercury & communication

Thanks for the backgrounder on Mercury in retrograde, Quinn! One of those phrasings I've always heard but didn't really know what it meant. Excellent explanation. :)

To your ultimate question about what do I do to set myself up for success when communicating with others, I fall into the third bullet point camp: gather as much information as I can before doing anything! This is sometimes a hindrance  because I'll keep thinking about things, gathering more information, and not move forward with the ask or discussion -- kind of like continuing to look over the menu after everyone else has ordered and being unable to pick what you want.  This is something I'm working on! Sometimes ya just gotta go with what first looked good to you on that menu! 


------------------------------
Maria Mooshil

Original Message:
Sent: 08-31-2022 13:21
From: Quinn Drew
Subject: Mercury & communication

Yep - it's about to be that time again: Mercury is going retrograde on 9 September.  (Short explanation: According to astrology, Mercury is the planet that rules communication, and a couple of times a year it appears to move backwards through the sky, or retrograde. While the retrograde is actual science, the impact of that retrograde - that communication is extra messy during this time - is all astrological. This doesn't make it feel any less real for me personally, but it does for some folx.) 

This article from Bustle describes it nicely:

"As the planet of logistics and mental matters, Mercury's infamous retrograde periods are known for causing mishaps in the realms of timing, talking, texting, technology, and more. While these backspins have a reputation for being obnoxious, they're not inherently bad - they simply direct us to slow down and assess where we're at instead of starting anything new. The real trouble with Mercury retrograde arises when we try to charge ahead instead of embracing the backward-moving flow. That said, retrogrades are a good time to review our current plans, revisit our recent decisions, and be more intentional with the information we share or consume. Afterward, we'll be able to move forward with more clarity and confidence."

Here's what I'm going to work on while Mercury is retrograde from 9 September through 2 October: 

• Slowing down my pace and double checking details to make sure everything is solid 
• Communicating with patience. (I liken it to the advice people tend to give to public speakers: if you think you're speaking too slowly, you're probably speaking at the right pace. In this case, if I think I'm communicating too much, it's probably the right amount). 
• Gathering as much information as I can before making any decisions.

What about you? Retrograde aside, what do you do to set yourself up for success when it comes to communicating with others?

------------------------------
Stay awesome,
Quinn
------------------------------