How I Changed My Listening Habits
You might think that, because I’m a composer I’m also a good listener. For the most part that’s true. But…
I do have two bad listening habits.
Often, I know what people are going to say once they start talking. It’s just something that comes naturally. But sometimes, instead devoting my full attention on the person, I’ll mentally move on and think about what I’m going to say next. I tune them out.
Not a good habit. Because it’s self-centered and disrespectful.
Another thing I do is to interrupt people before they have finished talking. That’s really rude. Everyone needs to express himself or herself fully. Correcting facts should never supersede feelings.
I’m working on correcting these bad habits. What’s helping me in this quest to become a great listener are these five tips.
First. Don’t talk. Just Listen. When you make a point of shutting up, the speaker feels a freedom to truly express themselves. Let them go where they feel they need to go and mind your own business. This makes you a great listener.
Secondly, watch the speaker’s body language. Most clues as to what a person is actually saying do not come from their words, but by their tone of voice, their gestures and their facial expressions.
Thirdly, don’t tune out the other person. Thinking you know the gist of where a conversation is going disrupts all listening skills. You’ll never know what somebody will say unless you give them your full attention.
Fourth. Ask questions. This will engage you with the speaker and lead to unexpected tangents that will delight both speaker and yourself.
Fifth. Repeat what the other person is saying. This confirms you full interest and leave an indelible impression on your mind about what is being said.
Another great way to develop your listening skills is to listen to uplifting, relaxing music. That’s something I know a lot about. Impress your day with positive, rejuvenating sounds right Now.
Warm Regards,
Tania Gabrielle French
P.S. ‘Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak.’ – Epictetus. Activate the power of listening to positive music
I do have two bad listening habits.
Often, I know what people are going to say once they start talking. It’s just something that comes naturally. But sometimes, instead devoting my full attention on the person, I’ll mentally move on and think about what I’m going to say next. I tune them out.
Not a good habit. Because it’s self-centered and disrespectful.
Another thing I do is to interrupt people before they have finished talking. That’s really rude. Everyone needs to express himself or herself fully. Correcting facts should never supersede feelings.
I’m working on correcting these bad habits. What’s helping me in this quest to become a great listener are these five tips.
First. Don’t talk. Just Listen. When you make a point of shutting up, the speaker feels a freedom to truly express themselves. Let them go where they feel they need to go and mind your own business. This makes you a great listener.
Secondly, watch the speaker’s body language. Most clues as to what a person is actually saying do not come from their words, but by their tone of voice, their gestures and their facial expressions.
Thirdly, don’t tune out the other person. Thinking you know the gist of where a conversation is going disrupts all listening skills. You’ll never know what somebody will say unless you give them your full attention.
Fourth. Ask questions. This will engage you with the speaker and lead to unexpected tangents that will delight both speaker and yourself.
Fifth. Repeat what the other person is saying. This confirms you full interest and leave an indelible impression on your mind about what is being said.
Another great way to develop your listening skills is to listen to uplifting, relaxing music. That’s something I know a lot about. Impress your day with positive, rejuvenating sounds right Now.
Warm Regards,
Tania Gabrielle French
P.S. ‘Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak.’ – Epictetus. Activate the power of listening to positive music
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