Be a great listener!
Apr. 23, 2008 by Lisa Currie
From CampusBlues.com…
Obstacles to listening:
It isn’t enough to just hear what someone is saying. Mistakes on exams, interviews and personal relationships come from poor listening skills. Think about what goes through your mind as you hear someone speak. Wondering what you will say next, how long will this take, what you are having for lunch are only a few of the distractions that pop into a person’s head.
- Focus!
People are easily distracted by nature. Develop the habit of “catching” yourself when your thoughts wander. This will require discipline, attention and practice. Create an environment with fewer distractions. Turn off the television or radio. Move physically to an isolated or private spot.
Focus and concentration aren’t the only issues. Our natural impulse is to filter information through our own experiences. This is a big problem! No two people possess identical perspectives. Therefore all information is subject to interpretation. These biases can be the foundation for minor communication problems or larger social issues.