Are You Listening?
Zoe Warren | Short Read
HELLO!
I have been thinking about listening a lot lately, I like to think I am a good listener however... I'm not sure that's entirely true!
Listening is a skill that takes energy and commitment but what we can get in return is true, deep connections to those we love; a better understanding of what’s really going on in their lives and more ability to remember what has been said. True listening, and the improved connection it creates, allows the person to feel heard, well supported and worthy which in turn increases the likelihood of them improving their own listening skills so as to be able to provide a well tuned ear in return.
THINGS I NEED TO STOP IN ORDER TO TRULY LISTEN:
1) Doing other things simultaneously
2) Concentrating on my own thoughts
3) Waiting for them to finish so I can tell my part
4) Immediately likening their experience to an experience that I have had
5) Interjecting advice to fix their worry/issue
If you recognise yourself in any of the above,
JOIN ME AS I TRY TO:
1) Stop the task I'm doing for a moment and focus on them
2) Give people time and eye contact
3) Really hear what they want to say without interrupting (argh, this is me...!)
4) Ask open ended kind questions about what they have said
5) Ask if they would like any of your advice before you go ahead and offer it
6) If there isn’t time to talk to say, "I don’t have time to properly listen right now but can we please pick this up later" and then honour that commitment!
What is important to me in this world are the people I love and care for as well as learning from new people I meet along the way. As with anything in life can we pull ourselves into awareness and perhaps not always choose to rush past every experience or conversation and on to the next...
Whether it’s my husband, my children, my friends or someone I’m passing in a shop who might want 5 mins of my time, my aim is to slow down just a little to give people the attention that we all deserve.
I hope this is a helpful reminder for us all.
Let me know how you get on and I promise, I will listen!
Love, Zoe x
get the #cloglow
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