Tips To Improve Your Listening Skills

Most of us are great talkers, but when it comes to listening it’s a very different matter altogether. More often than not, people don’t realize they are not paying attention. We could get ourselves into trouble by not listening. Therefore, listening is a serious business.

The first step towards correcting this defect is to admit to yourself that you are indeed a poor listener. A little introspection can help you analyse the reason for your poor listening skills. Make a promise to yourself that you will make a conscious effort to focus on what is being said. Listening is an art that has to be cultivated. Being clever, erudite or elite cannot automatically make you a good listener. Only discipline, determination and practice will pay off.

Many people have the habit of studying while ‘listening’ to their favourite radio programme. They go about their household chores with the television on. This is what is described as passive listening. There are situations that are more important where active listening is imperative. If we don’t improve in these areas, the consequences could be grave. We may fare poorly at school, botch up relationships or prove unsuccessful at the work spot.

There are ways of developing the listening skill. Focussing on the speaker keeps the audience from being distracted. This, you may argue, is easier said than done. It does take an effort, but the results are your reward. Movements or stray thoughts tend to sidetrack a person from listening. Be aware of them and learn to ignore them. Thoughts come faster than words, so while the speaker takes time to put his thoughts into words, your mind has travelled the world, and you become a passive listener. You hear the words through the haze of your own thoughts and what the orator says doesn’t register as it should. Sometimes the weather conditions are not conducive to concentration. At others, the drone of a monotonous speaker could send you into a cocoon of your own thoughts. Even in an ideal environment, you could have ‘wool gathering’ periods.

Under these circumstances, it takes a great deal of willpower to shake ourselves out of this habit, and focus on what the speaker is saying. Make an interesting game of it by anticipating what he is about to say. If what you ‘predicted’ differs from what was said, analyse the speaker’s thoughts. This way you are deliberating on the speech itself. You could also recapitulate. By recalling what was said earlier, you are actually letting the ideas sink in. Another ‘trick’ to help you focus your attention is to guess at what the speaker is implying through words left unsaid. His gestures and posture may provide clues as to what he means as well.

By striving sincerely, you can overcome the apathy of being a passive listener. Make concentrating a habit and you will see your life improve dramatically. So, when it’s your turn to speak, people will sit up and listen!