Conversation Prep Sheet
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Use this sheet to prepare before a difficult conversation. Fill it in by hand or type before printing. Having a plan helps you stay focused and say what you actually mean.
The Conversation
The conversation I need to have:
The person I'm talking to:
My relationship to this person: ☐ Partner ☐ Family member ☐ Friend ☐ Coworker ☐ Other: ________
What I Need to Say
What I need them to understand:
How I feel about this (be honest with yourself):
My main point in one sentence:
My Plan
My opening line (the first thing I'll say):
Tone I'm choosing: ☐ Gentle ☐ Balanced ☐ Firm
If they react badly, I'll say:
If I start to shut down or get emotional, I'll:
My Boundaries
What I'm NOT going to do:
☐ Over-apologize ☐ Overexplain ☐ Back down ☐ Get aggressive ☐ Make threats ☐ Bring up old issues
What I will do if it goes off track:
Reminder: It's OK if it doesn't go perfectly. You're allowed to speak up. The goal isn't to win — it's to be honest.