Doing Life With Dom at
Coach Dominique Services
Real change is possible—and it starts with how you show up.
4 Questions to ask yourself before you respond
Have you ever walked into a conversation thinking: “I’m going to handle this differently this time…”
but somewhere in the middle, it shifts?
-
Your tone changes
-
You feel it in your body
-
And before you know it… it escalates
It’s not that you don’t know better.
It’s that the moment moves faster than your awareness.
That’s where this checklist comes in.
Before you respond, pause—and ask yourself these 4 questions.
Catch The Trigger
What just triggered me?
-
What was said—or how was it said?
-
What am I feeling right now (frustration, defensiveness, hurt)?
-
Is my reaction about this moment… or something deeper?
👉 Awareness is what interrupts automatic reactions.
Assess The Perspective
What else could be true here?
-
Am I assuming intent… or do I actually know it?
-
Could they be stressed, rushed, or misunderstood?
-
What might this look like from their perspective?
👉 Shifting perspective softens escalation.
Lead With Respect
How do I want to show up right now?
-
Do I want to prove a point… or protect the conversation?
-
What tone would reflect calm and clarity?
-
How can I express myself without attacking?
-
👉 Your delivery determines the direction.
Maintain & Repair
What will keep this conversation steady?
-
If tension rises, how can I slow it down?
-
What words can help reset instead of escalate?
-
What matters more: being right… or being effective?
👉 You don’t need a perfect response—just a grounded one.
You don't need to avoid difficult conversations. You just need a way to stay grounded inside them.
-
More clarity
-
More respect
-
Less escalation
If you want personalized support applying this in your real conversations: