Today I'm hitting five strategies I've used to frame instances of disagreement into positive and beneficial experiences.

Disagreements are inevitable and frustrating. But, using these strategies, we can learn to view disagreement as a privilege to living in a society that values discourse.

Let's break it down.

Remind yourself that many disagreements are inconsequential

Unless you disagree across party lines on the senate floor, your disputes are likely inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

I've gotten into countless political arguments with my dad, but they're so inconsequential and meaningless that it's silly to get upset. Even if I managed to change his views, guess what changes in the world? Nothing.

Practice empathizing with your disagreer

Putting yourself in someone's shoes is an essential thought experiment.

Think about the assumptions you'd have to make to see things the same way you as a person who disagrees with you. My niece argues that rainbow sprinkles are the best food, which makes sense for a nine-year-old girl.

Realize you may be wrong but that there's nothing intrinsically wrong with being wrong

We're all wrong at times; it's not always given that we'll realize it when we are.

Flat earthers are an example of people who love being wrong. There's technically nothing wrong with this. It's their right to believe the way they think.

Please take it as an opportunity for free feedback on your ideas

Facebook pays people $100 to give them feedback on their product ideas. You're getting feedback for free.

It may not be as constructive as you'd like, but feedback through disagreement is valuable. Either it solidifies your reasoning or makes you question them.

Acknowledge that people disagree with you because they care about what you think or do

If it didn't matter to them, they wouldn't go through the effort of disagreeing.

For better or worse (hopefully better), somebody has voiced their disagreement against you because they're concerned that if they don't, your impact will influence reality in a way they don't like. So long as you don't have vile intention, that's kind of a compliment to your influence.

Finally, I hope you can examine your next disagreement through a lens that casts it as an opportunity.

I wish you the best, and remember, just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean they're any less a person than you.

✌🏽@lukemanimala