verify the facts, me lawyer

I cannot overstate the importance of verifying the facts before reacting. This is a hard lesson learnt from my many failures to observe this fundamental rule of lawyering. By far, my negligence hasn't caused any damages because it took place in my private life. But drastic action is needed to make sure it will never ever happen in my practice life that beings in late 2012.

There is an efficient measure, if I can scrupulously use it every time I'm about to respond.

1. take a deep breath;
2. ask myself "is it true?" "Have you seen it properly with your own eyes in a CALM state of mind?" The emphasis is on "calm" because otherwise you may look, but you don't see.
3. rationalise your emotions, and measure your response. The golden rule is, never reveal an emotive unless emotive expression is conducive in the circumstances.
4. start a reflective journal which is what I'll do next.