On listening (more from the internet. It makes me think, even if it's not completely true, or whatever)
I think I got this one from my weekly horoscope. That's why my NAME is in it. It still struck home and I thought I'd share.
According to Dr. Ralph Nichols, an expert on communication, "The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them." But studies indicate that listeners are distracted, forgetful, or preoccupied 75% of the time, and most people only remember about 20% of a conversation after time has passed.
So, do you know how to listen, Desiree? Actually, it's more involved than you might think. It's not just being quiet while someone else is talking. Here are some good tips I've found that are very helpful to hone your listening skills:
Turn your face to the speaker and establish eye contact. This helps you concentrate on the speaker, instead of having your mind drift off into your own thoughts.
React to the speaker by showing you understand what they are saying. Nod, or say "I see," or "uh huh," or "oh, really."
Keep an open mind. Don't start making judgments, or get impatient to interrupt. Wait until the speaker is finished, and then ask questions if you need to, to clarify what was said.
We get so used to tuning out the distractions all around us that it's important that we keep communication flowing to help us in our professional lives and in our closest personal relationships. Remember the advice from the ancient Greek sage Epictetus: "We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak." You are a highly passionate, vital individual, dearest one, but you may find it difficult to express your true feelings today. Showing your affections means being as emotionally honest as possible.
According to Dr. Ralph Nichols, an expert on communication, "The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them." But studies indicate that listeners are distracted, forgetful, or preoccupied 75% of the time, and most people only remember about 20% of a conversation after time has passed.
So, do you know how to listen, Desiree? Actually, it's more involved than you might think. It's not just being quiet while someone else is talking. Here are some good tips I've found that are very helpful to hone your listening skills:
Turn your face to the speaker and establish eye contact. This helps you concentrate on the speaker, instead of having your mind drift off into your own thoughts.
React to the speaker by showing you understand what they are saying. Nod, or say "I see," or "uh huh," or "oh, really."
Keep an open mind. Don't start making judgments, or get impatient to interrupt. Wait until the speaker is finished, and then ask questions if you need to, to clarify what was said.
We get so used to tuning out the distractions all around us that it's important that we keep communication flowing to help us in our professional lives and in our closest personal relationships. Remember the advice from the ancient Greek sage Epictetus: "We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak." You are a highly passionate, vital individual, dearest one, but you may find it difficult to express your true feelings today. Showing your affections means being as emotionally honest as possible.
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