Stopping in conflict is like taking a time out. Time out is helpful in calming yourself. It helps other person know that you are not abandoning the situation, but will return after a small break. It also helps change the problematic topic for a while to allow time for the air to clear.
As far as taking time out during conflict is concerned, I have the habit of going on talking unless the other person tells me to wait. I find taking time out difficult because I think whatever my say is over the dispute is not enough. Taking time out will be a good strategy in my case because that time can be utilized for thinking and understanding the issue from the perspective of the conflicting part. It will also give me time to prepare and place myself for the next round of rebuttal accordingly. In fact my time out will give the conflicting party a chance to present their views without any disturbance. I will try to take a relaxing break such as time out in any conflicts, I get into hereafter to understand the other party better, and place myself accordingly. If anyone has problem like me to stop while in the conflict then they can implement one of the ways mentioned in the book to take a deliberate time out, such as counting 100 to 1 or get a glass of water before you respond to the other person. I think taking a pause to clear the throat or compose our self on the chair can also be a good way to take a short time out.
It can be really difficult to take a time out during a conflict. Like you, I have a hard time stopping unless I am asked to by the other person. It actually irritates me a bit when someone wants to stop the conversation because I would rather finish so we can come to some sort of resolution. My boyfriend often walks out in the middle of an argument and it usually upsets me and makes the situation worse. However, I can see how taking a break can be helpful. I should take the time to stop, clear my head, and try to see things from a different perspective.
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