Every Monday I throw out a challenge, something to keep in mind for the week. This week’s challenge was going to be called “Don’t say anything stupid.” Then the title changed to “#AlternateReality.” In the end I decided to stick with something more simple: Listen to yourself.

After an amazing weekend of strange communication with the press from the highest levels, we are suddenly finding ourselves as a culture having to not only fact-check and analyze more than ever, but also spin and take sides endlessly. The new president’s “War on the press” has ramifications far beyond the White House press room. It trickles all the way down to how each of us functions on a day to day basis, and how we decide to communicate with those around us. The impact of people running with whatever gibberish they want to say is profound.

So this week it’s a simple exercise: Listen to yourself.

Listen to what you say, how you say it, and how your messaging changes depending on whom you are talking with.

Listen to how you present your ideas, your products, your views, your compassion, and your empathy.

Listen to what your instincts and your gut tell you. Listen to what you dream to achieve. Listen to how you react to commentary and discussion.

Spend a week trying to talk less, but at the same time invest in personal attention to your views, plans, and emotions. When you do communicate, try to get your points across with clean efficiency.

Less talking, more listening. Simple to say, hard to do.

Good luck!