| How to Thicken Frosting Posted: 13 Jan 2021 04:00 PM PST Frosting is the ultimate topper for cakes, cookies, and cupcakes—but what happens when your frosting is so runny it slides right off the top of your baked goods? There are many reasons why your frosting might need thickening, and there are a few different methods you can try to make your frosting firm up. You can choose the best one to try for your frosting to make your mixture thick, fluffy, and creamy again. [Edit]Starting with Quick Fixes - What went wrong: it could be something totally out of your control. If your frosting is too runny, it might just be humid and hot outside, so your ingredients are melting. Or, maybe you accidentally added too many liquid ingredients. Whatever the case is, don't fret! Liquid frosting can be saved and made into a thick, creamy mixture to use on your baked goods.[1]
- Frosting also tends to separate when it's been stored.
- Keep mixing. It could just be that your frosting ingredients haven't fully incorporated yet, or they might have separated during storage. Grab a whisk or a hand mixer and try stirring up your frosting again for 3 to 4 minutes to see if it thickens up.[2]
- Since this method is so easy, you can always try it first to see if it helps.
- Put your frosting in the fridge if it's too warm. Most frosting is made primarily of oil or fat, so when it gets too warm, it can start to melt. If you've left your frosting out at room temperature or warmer, try putting it in the fridge for 30 minutes to see if it thickens.[3]
- When you take the frosting out of the fridge, use a hand mixer to beat it again until it's smooth.
- This method works the best on frosting with a butter base or whip cream frosting.
- If you know your frosting hasn't gotten too warm, you can skip this method.
- Cook hot frosting for more time. If a stovetop frosting still seems a little too liquidy, you might be able to reduce some of that liquid by extending the cooking time slightly. Turn your pan on medium heat and whisk your frosting constantly to avoid burning or browning.[4]
- This technique works best for frosting that has already been heated up during the cooking process, like boiled-milk frosting.
- Note, however, that you should exercise caution while trying this technique. If you cook frosting too long, it may burn or break down. Stir the frosting frequently as it cooks, and if it does not appear to start thickening after a few additional minutes, remove it from the heat and try a different tactic.
[Edit]Adding Dry Thickening Ingredients - Add more powdered sugar. Most frostings contain powdered sugar, or icing sugar, and the most common way to thicken a runny frosting is by gradually mixing in a bit more powdered sugar to offset the liquid ingredients. Sprinkle in 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 mL) of powdered sugar at a time, then stir it in and check the consistency.[5]
- If you add too much at once, the frosting will become too sweet and may become too thick. If this happens, you will need to add more liquid to balance it out, and the consistency problem may only continue from there.
- Powdered sugar contains cornstarch. Starches absorb liquid, and the cornstarch present in powdered sugar prevents the powdered sugar from caking.
- Adding powdered sugar works best on cream cheese frosting.
- Mix in a bit of meringue powder alongside the powdered sugar. To cut down on the sweetness of powdered sugar, you can add meringue powder, as well. It will thicken your frosting without contributing any sweetness of its own.[6]
- Typically, if you are adding more than 1/2 cup (125 ml) of powdered sugar to thicken a runny royal icing recipe, you should also add 1 to 2 tsp (5 to 10 ml) of meringue powder. This is especially true if the recipe already contains meringue powder.
- Meringue powder is made from dried egg whites, sugar, and gum. The sugar can absorb some of the liquid and the gum is a natural thickener. If used in excess, however, you might end up with a frosting that is too heavy or stringy.
- Use tapioca, cornstarch, or arrowroot starch. Dry starches like these absorb liquid and are a great way to thicken frosting without altering the taste of the frosting. Add roughly 1 tbsp (15 ml) of starch to your frosting. Heat the frosting over low heat, if it can withstand higher temperatures, while stirring the starch in. Remove from the stove as soon as the frosting begins to thicken.[7]
- Cornstarch is probably the most popular starch to use in frostings since it has low gloss, little flavor, and works well with dairy. It congeals when exposed to low temperatures, though, so it is not ideal for use with frostings that need to remain refrigerated.
- Arrowroot produces a high gloss and works better with acidic liquids. It tends to become slimy when added to dairy, but if your frosting contains dairy products with a higher acidity, like sour cream or buttermilk, arrowroot is a good choice. It also thickens at a fairly low temperature, making it suitable for frostings that will need to remain cool.
- Tapioca also has a high gloss, but it stands up well to cold temperatures and thickens at a fairly low temperature, as well, making it a better option if you have a frosting that will need to remain cold.
- Add more cocoa powder if you're making chocolate frosting. While this is not an option for vanilla, cream cheese, or other non-chocolate frostings, the addition of more cocoa powder is worth trying if you are making a chocolate frosting. Add more cocoa powder into the frosting 1 to 2 tsp (5 to 10 ml) at a time. Otherwise, you may end up with frosting that is too thick or too potent. Since cocoa powder is also fairly bitter on its own, too much can also cause the frosting to become bitter.[8]
- Cocoa powder is a starch thickener, as well, but does not need to be cooked in order to thicken liquid. As a result, cocoa powder is a better addition than melted chocolate when you are trying to thicken your frosting.
- Unsweetened cocoa has more thickening power than bittersweet chocolate. The former contains more starches than the latter.
- Mix in some gelatin to avoid flavoring your frosting. If you don't want to add any sweetness to your frosting, pour a flavorless gelatin packet into warm or cold water. When the gelatin has dissolved, pour it bit by bit into your frosting, stirring continuously, until your mixture thickens.[9]
- Try to use gelatin in cold water. That way, you won't have to wait for it to cool down before you add it in.
- Add in some shredded coconut to enhance the flavor. If you're already making coconut icing, you can add more in to thicken up your mixture. Add at least 6 g (1/4 cup) of shredded coconut to your frosting, then fold it in with a spatula.[10]
- You can buy coconut pre-shredded from the grocery store, or you can shred it yourself with a cheese grater.
- Use flour for cooked frostings. If you are making warm frosting on your stovetop, you can try thickening a runny frosting with a bit of flour. Sprinkle 1 tsp to 1 Tbsp (5 ml to 15 ml) of flour into the frosting and stir over low heat on the stove until it begins to thicken. Remove it from the stovetop and keep stirring until the frosting cools down.[11]
- Do not use flour in cold frosting recipes, however. Flour has a distinctive taste when eaten raw, and the only way to get rid of this taste is by cooking it out.
- Flour will not reach its maximum thickening capability if it is not heated.
- Remove the frosting from the heat as soon as it begins to thicken. Cooking flour in for too long can cause the frosting to become thin and runny again.
[Edit]Adding Moist Thickening Ingredients - Try softened cream cheese. If your frosting is too sweet as well as being too runny, you can try adding cream cheese to it as a way to thicken the consistency and add a contrasting tanginess to the existing sweetness. Add about 1 oz (30 ml) of cream cheese to your frosting and blend it in well.[12]
- This works best with frostings that already contain cream cheese or those that could benefit from less sweetness.
- Mix in more butter or shortening. For frostings that use butter or shortening, using more of either ingredient can help thicken frosting that is a little too runny. Add 1 tbsp (15 mL) or so at a time to prevent distorting the taste and consistency too drastically.[13]
- Note that adding butter to the frosting may not seem to help immediately. As the frosting heats up from being mixed, the butter will melt, making the consistency thinner. Refrigerate butter-based frostings to get an accurate picture of how thick the frosting really is.
- Consider mixing in a dash of heavy cream. For frostings that can stand to be beaten and chilled, heavy cream is another way you can thicken the consistency without making the taste too sweet. Add about 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream to the frosting and beat it well to combine your ingredients.[14]
- Cream will provide a thick, rich texture.
- This works best if you plan on heating or whipping your frosting after you add the cream. Heating cream causes it to reduce down, becoming thicker as a result. Whipping cream causes it to fluff up, which also makes it thicker and causes the frosting to become lighter in texture.
- Use marshmallow fluff if you're making marshmallow buttercream. Marshmallow fluff is the perfect blend between sticky and fluffy, so it can help bind your ingredients together. If you've already put some in your frosting, add 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 mL) more, then fold it in with a spatula.[15]
- Marshmallow fluff is super sweet, so you should only add more if you don't mind an intense flavor.
[Edit]Thickening Ganache - Measure your wet ingredients carefully. Even a teaspoon too much heavy cream can make your ganache runny and inconsistent. As you put together your frosting, use measuring cups carefully to avoid any mistakes.[16]
- It's pretty tough to balance out your ingredients if you've added too much of something. Better safe than sorry!
- Use heavy cream or whipping cream. While most recipes call for this, it's easy to think that you can substitute them for regular milk. However, normal cow's milk doesn't have enough fat to thicken ganache, so you might end up with watered down frosting instead of a thick and creamy one.[17]
- You can find heavy cream and whipping cream in the dairy aisle of your grocery store.
- Find a recipe based on the chocolate you're using. White chocolate is different from milk chocolate, and milk chocolate is different from dark chocolate. Make sure you're reading off a recipe that lines up with what chocolate you're using to avoid a runny outcome.[18]
- White chocolate will usually make your ganache much thinner than dark chocolate.
- Throw in a handful of chopped chocolate if your ganache is too thin. While your ganache is still warm, chop up some more chocolate (the same kind that you already used) and throw it into the bowl. Stir the chocolate in with a spatula to let it melt and combine to thicken up your mixture.[19]
- If you do this after your ganache is cold, your chocolate won't combine and you'll end up with lumps in your ganache.
- If you need to heat your ganache back up, put it on a double boiler and heat it slowly and carefully. If you warm it up too much, you could separate the oils in your mixture.
[Edit]Preventing Runny Frosting - Follow the instructions closely. Frosting might seem simple, but making even a minor change to the ingredients can result in an unexpected change to the consistency. Make sure you're using the right ingredients at the right measurements to make your frosting perfect.[20]
- Unsweetened chocolate will make your frosting thicker than bittersweet or milk chocolate. Cocoa solids have starches in them, and unsweetened chocolate has a higher amount of cocoa solids in it while sweeter chocolates have more sugar and less starch. As a result, if a recipe calls for unsweetened chocolate and you use semisweet, your frosting may turn out thinner than expected.
- Cream cheese and milk are other examples. Generally, there will not be much difference between frosting made with 2% milk and whole milk, but if a recipe calls for half-and-half or heavy cream, do not substitute milk in its place. Similarly, low-fat cream cheese has been known to produce thinner frostings when a recipe calls for standard cream cheese.
- Mix in the liquid ingredients last. Typically, the fully liquid ingredients in frosting are added last. Following this procedure could help you to prevent runny frosting before it happens.[21]
- If the sugar and butter (or shortening) are mixed first, add other liquids like water and milk afterward. In this instance, these ingredients are only added to make the frosting easier to whip and spread and should be added cautiously to prevent the frosting from becoming runny.
- Add ingredients slowly and in small amounts. One of the biggest reasons why people often end up with consistency problems while making frosting is simply that a little too much of one ingredient gets added, throwing the entire recipe off. Both the liquids and powdered sugar need to be added slowly and in small amounts. If a frosting ends up being way too thick at first, the need to thin it by adding more liquid can result in the addition of too much liquid, which will make the frosting too thin.[22]
- This is especially important when you're adding ingredients to thicken up your frosting. Less is more!
- Use caution with liquid flavoring like lemon juice. Some cream cheese frosting recipes call for a little bit of lemon juice as an added flavor ingredient. While it does give your frosting a nice zest, it also adds more liquid to your mixture, which can lead to runny frosting. If your recipe does call for lemon juice, consider adding lemon zest instead to avoid too many liquid ingredients.[23]
- If you'd still like to add in lemon juice, mix it in at the very end. That way, you can see how the frosting looks before and after.
- Frosting will thicken up as it cools. If you've cooked your frosting, give it a few minutes to cool down before adding extra ingredients.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Preserve Play Dough Posted: 13 Jan 2021 08:00 AM PST If you've just created a Play-Doh masterpiece, you'll want to admire it for days and weeks to come. Unfortunately, Hasbro doesn't advise using Play-Doh for permanent creations, as the compound tends to crack over time.[1] While it's not officially recommended by the company, there are a few at-home methods you can use to preserve your Play-Doh creation for a longer amount of time. - Preheat the oven to . You don't need to toss your Play-Doh into a kiln for it to dry. Some Play-Doh hobbyists recommend using a low oven temperature to preserve your creations.[2]
- This method works best with small, thin keepsakes, like holiday ornaments.
- Bake your Play-Doh for 5-10 minutes. Set your Play-Doh creation on an oven-safe tray, and set a timer for at least 5 minutes. Then, check on the baked clay to see if it's hardened. If the clay is firm and hard to the touch, you can display your Play-Doh masterpiece around your home![3]
- If your Play-Doh isn't quite hardened, you might have more luck sealing it.
- Check the Play-Doh with a toothpick and let it cool. Gently press a toothpick against the clay to check the hardness. If the Play-Doh feels soft, leave it in the oven for a couple more minutes. If your Play-Doh creation is hardened, pull it out of the oven so it can cool off.[4]
- If your Play-Doh sculpture is pretty thick, it might need a little more time in the oven.
[Edit]Sealing - Air-dry the Play-Doh for 1-3 days before sealing it. Play-Doh is meant to be reused, so the compound is naturally moist and flexible. Before sealing your creation, place it in an open area for at least 1 day so it can air-dry. You might see a white crust forming on the dough—this is totally normal, and is just the salt in the Play-Doh rising to the top. Don't worry about fixing this, since it isn't very noticeable.[5]
- You'll only be air-drying your Play-Doh for a short amount of time, so it shouldn't start cracking.
- Seal your Play-Doh creation in sections to prevent sticking. Apply your sealant of choice to the top and sides of your creation first. Then, let the sealant try completely.[6] At this point, coat the other side of your Play-Doh creation with sealant.
- Some people only seal the parts of their creation that will be visible to the naked eye.[7]
- Coat the Play-Doh with school glue as an easy, non-toxic solution. Pour or so of water into a small cup. Then, mix 2 drops of school glue into the water. Dip a small, clean paintbrush into the glue mixture and spread it all over your Play-Doh creation. Let the first layer of glue dry completely, and then add a second layer for good measure.[8]
- If the glaze seems too runny, add another drop or 2 of glue into the mixture.
- This glue takes about an hour to set, and a full day to cure.[9]
- Spread a layer of Mod Podge on your creation so it looks glossy. Coat a small paintbrush with extra glossy Mod Podge, and paint it over the surface of your Play-Doh. Wait 3 days for your Play-Doh to dry, and then add 2 more coats, giving each layer another 3 days to air-dry.[10]
- Cover the Play-Doh with clear nail polish for a fast-drying option. Grab a bottle of clear nail polish and spread a thin layer over your clay creation. Check the side of the bottle for the recommended drying time.[11]
- This is a better solution for smaller projects.
- If your finished project doesn't look very glossy, you might want to add a second coat of nail polish.[12]
- Paint on 1 coat of polyester resin to make your Play-Doh extra shiny. Dip a small paintbrush into a jar of clear resin. Spread a thin coat of the product all over your Play-Doh, so it's protected with a nice, hard coating. Scan over the resin bottle to see what the recommended drying time is.[13]
- Resins are made with a lot of strong chemicals. Always work in a well-ventilated area, and consider wearing a respirator.[14]
- Hasbro recommends using oven curable clay for your long-lasting creations instead of Play-Doh.[15]
- Always secure the lid on your Play-Doh once you're done playing with it. This will keep it fresh for weeks to come![16]
- If your Play-Doh is looking a bit dried out and worse for wear, there are a few ways to revive it.
- To be extra safe, bake your Play-Doh first to harden it and then seal it.[17]
- Some hobbyists recommend coating your project with a traditional varnish. Don't use a spray varnish, though—some of the chemicals might damage your Play-Doh creation.[18]
[Edit]Warnings - Don't use a clear, protective paint to seal your Play-Doh, like a special effects paint. This won't stick very well to your creation.[19]
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Sealing - School glue
- Water
- Cup
- Clear nail polish
- Mod Podge
- Polyester resin
- Paintbrush
[Edit]References |
| How to Speak More Positively Posted: 13 Jan 2021 12:00 AM PST Have you ever caught yourself being so focused on the negative that all the energy drains out of a conversation? You're not alone—our brains are actually wired to hang onto negative thoughts more stubbornly than positive ones.[1] That can make it hard sometimes to speak in a positive way. However, even small changes can make a big difference in the way you speak to yourself and others. [Edit]Building a Brighter Outlook - Smile, even if you don't feel like it. You already know that being happy makes you smile, but did you know that smiling can actually make you happier? Even a fake smile can trick your brain into a more positive state, so whenever you feel a little down, try flashing a quick grin in the mirror. You might just discover it's an easy way to get the mood boost you need![2]
- If you can, try finding something you can laugh at. That will create a true smile where your eyes are engaged, which is even more effective at boosting your mood.
- Slow down so you can really soak up positive experiences. We're all in such a hurry these days that it can be hard to really appreciate the present. Instead of worrying about what you're going to do next, take the time to really be in the moment when you're doing something you enjoy. When you're getting the most out of the positive moments in your life, it will be easier to overcome negative thoughts and speech.[3]
- For instance, if you get a blueberry muffin from your favorite bakery, put your phone down while you eat so you can really pay attention to the flavors in every bite.
- When you go on a walk, try to spot a few things you find interesting or beautiful, like changing foliage or cool architecture.
- This can be hard sometimes, but if you notice you're rushing through one of your favorite things, just remind yourself to slow down a little so you can enjoy it more.
- Start a daily gratitude practice. Push yourself to find things every day that make you happy. The more attention you give to things that you're thankful for, the more likely you are to notice them in your every day life. Over time, this will help you have a sunnier outlook on life, which you're sure to notice in your speech.[4]
- For instance, each night before bed, you might stop and think about something that happened that day that you're grateful for, like a stranger who was kind to you, a friend who was there when you needed them, or a really delicious lunch.
- You can also keep a gratitude journal where you write down a few things every day that make you feel thankful. When things get tough, you can go back and read through your journal for a reminder of the good things in your life.
- Focus on what can go right. When you feel apprehensive about something, you might find yourself focusing on everything that could go wrong. You might also start picturing the worst possible outcome. This is called catastrophizing, and it can actually sabotage your chances before you start. Instead of doing that, try picturing yourself succeeding—you'll have a better chance of getting the outcome you want![5]
- For example, if you're feeling nervous about the first day of school, picture yourself feeling confident, making new friends, and enjoying all of your classes.
- Avoid thinking in terms of "always" and "never." When you're feeling down, it can sometimes be tempting to think that you will always feel that way, or that no one ever listens to you. However, words like that are hard to overcome. Instead, try to reframe them in more of a situational way.[6]
- For example, instead of thinking, "My sister and I never get along," you might tell yourself, "We've been arguing a lot lately. Maybe we should spend some quality time together so we can reconnect."
- Spend time around people who make you feel good about yourself. Unfortunately, there are always going to be people in the world who make you feel bad about yourself, whether it's intentional or not. If you find that you always leave a certain person feeling down in the dumps, try to put a little distance between you. Instead, make it a priority to hang out with people who uplift you and encourage you to think highly of yourself.[7]
- Remember, you can't control what other people do, or even what they think about you. It's better to focus your energy on the positive relationships you have, instead.
- It's not always practical to cut negative people out of your life entirely, at least in the short term. For instance, you may live or work with the person. However, try to limit the time you spend around them, as much as you're able.
- Keep trying, even if you feel discouraged. According to research, your brain doesn't respond as quickly to positive thoughts as it does to negative ones. In fact, to become more positive, you have to train yourself to have 3-5 times more positive thoughts for each negative one. Because of that, it can take a while for your attempts at positive self-talk to really take root—so be patient and don't give up![8]
- Researchers think this is because in prehistoric times, our brains needed to quickly detect and process dangerous situations. Since most of us aren't in constant physical peril these days, that same impulse just leads to anxiety and stress, but it can still be hard to overcome.
[Edit]Practicing Positive Self-Talk - Be compassionate with yourself. When you make a mistake or fall short of a goal, it can be tempting to beat yourself up about it. However, when you tell yourself that you're not good enough or you can't do anything right, you're reinforcing that negativity in your brain. Instead, remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes, and give yourself another chance to succeed.[9]
- For example, instead of saying, "I'm a failure because I got a bad grade," you might say, "I'm disappointed that I didn't do my best on that assignment. I need to study harder next time so I can improve my grade."
- The way you feel about yourself is going to come through in everything you do. Because of that, improving your internal self-talk will impact how you speak to others, as well.[10]
- Make it a habit to reframe negative thoughts as they happen. We all have negative thoughts sometimes—it's perfectly natural. However, negativity tends to grow, and if you embrace that type of thinking, it's going to come out in the way you speak. Check in with yourself every so often, and ask yourself if there's any way to reframe your thoughts into something more positive.[11]
- For instance, if you're thinking, "There's no way I'm going to get that job," you might try replacing that thought with something like, "No matter what happens, I'm so proud that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone!"
- Over time, this will actually help you have less negative thoughts.
- Create a positive mantra that you say to yourself. Getting into the habit of saying kind words to yourself can boost your self-esteem and your overall sense of well-being. Science shows that saying positive words like "love" and "compassion" can actually lower your stress levels. On the other hand, saying negative words like "no" out loud can make you feel more stressed.[12]
- To boost your self-esteem, you might say something like, "I am smart, strong, and capable," in the mirror each morning, for instance.
- Visual reminders can have a similar impact on your brain. Try writing words like "Peace" or "Confidence" on sticky notes and placing them around your bedroom, workspace, or another spot you'll be sure to see them.[13]
- Imagine that you're your own best friend. Every once in awhile, check in with yourself to make sure you're not thinking badly about yourself. If your thoughts are negative, think about what you would say to your best friend if they were talking that way about themselves. What encouragement would you offer? Then, try to apply that same advice to your own thinking.[14]
- For example, if you catch yourself looking in the mirror feeling bad about your reflection, give yourself a best-friend pep talk. Point out some of the features you do like about yourself, and remind yourself of all your good character traits. You could even try on some of your favorite outfits to boost your spirits!
- Look for the silver lining in tough situations. When you're struggling, it can be tempting to magnify the worst parts or a situation. You might also polarize things, where you see them as all good or all bad. However, it's important to try your best to find some bright spot whenever you can, even if it's really hard sometimes. By intentionally focusing on something positive, it will be easier to handle some of the difficult things that happen in life.[15]
- For instance, if you're feeling stressed because you're out of work, you might remind yourself things like, "I'm glad I have extra time to spend with my family right now," or "This is a good opportunity to figure out what I want to do with my life."
- It's okay if you can't find anything good about a situation right away—some things are just really awful. However, you may be able to look back later and see some small good that came out of it, especially if you make a habit of looking on the bright side when you can.
[Edit]Being More Positive with Others - Pause before you speak so you can be more intentional. Don't be tempted to fill up silence with the first thing that pops into your mind. Instead, intentionally pause and think about what you're going to say. That can help prevent you from accidentally reacting in a negative way, even if you're feeling angry or upset.[16]
- Speaking in a slow, deliberate way can help override your brain's natural inclination to think in a negative way.
- Keep your tone of voice positive. Your words aren't the only way negativity can creep into a conversation—the way you say them has an impact, too. When you're speaking, try to listen to how you sound. If you sound annoyed, cynical, or angry, take a deep breath and try to soften your voice a little. It will make you sound more positive, even if the conversation itself is a little unpleasant.[17]
- For instance, if you're agreeing to do something you're a little reluctant about, you might feel inclined to sigh and say, "That's fine," in a grumpy tone. It makes a big difference if you smile and say, "Ok, that's fine!" nicely, instead.
- Talk about some of the happy events in your life. When you're having a conversation with someone, don't just automatically jump into whatever bad news you heard that day. Instead, dig deep and try to think of a funny story or a sweet moment that you can share. Over time, the people around you will start to see you as someone who always brings a positive energy.[18]
- For example, instead of recapping a political argument you read on social media, you might talk about a time you met a famous person, a new trick your dog learned, or one of your favorite childhood vacations.
- Speak your mind without apologizing. If you have something to say, don't kick it off with "I'm sorry, but..." or "I don't want to bother you..." Instead, hold your head up and speak with confidence. Just try to be respectful so you don't offend the other person.[19]
- Apologizing too much can make you seem less confident. That can be perceived by others as a negative trait, especially if you seem like you're down on yourself.
- Use forward-thinking language when someone asks you for help. If somebody comes to you with a request—whether your boss needs a report done or your toddler wants a sandwich—avoid using negative language like "I can't" or "I won't." Instead, focus on what you can do, then find a way to phrase your answer in a way that moves the conversation forward.[20]
- For example, if a coworker asks for your help with an important project, don't say, "I can't do that." Instead, you might say, "I think I can move some things around so I'll be free for an hour this afternoon, if that works for you," or "It will be tomorrow before I have time to work on that."
- Remember, it's okay to say "no" sometimes to avoid stretching yourself too thin! To keep things positive, try helping the person find another solution. For instance, you could say something like, "I have a full schedule this week so I'm not free to drive you to the airport tomorrow. I could give you the number of a car service I use sometimes, if you'd like!"
- Use compliment sandwiches to give feedback. If you need to talk to someone about a behavior they should change, open the conversation with something that they do well. Mention what you'd like to see the person improve, then end by talking about how you can work together to meet that goal.[21]
- This is a strategy often used by leaders in the workplace when they're giving constructive feedback to their employees. However, the same approach can be really helpful when you're dealing with kids or even your spouse.
- For instance, you might say, "Ashley, I love that you had such a great time playing blocks earlier. That tower you built was amazing. But, now you've moved on to putting together a puzzle, and the blocks are spread all over the floor. Let's work together to pick up all the blocks!"
[Edit]References |
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