The art of listening

I have a bad habit. 

And that is:

I often listen to respond, rather than to understand.

I’m so eager to say something that I miss out on the juice of the conversation. It’s not about me - but often I make it seem like it is. 

Heck, if someone is saying something I disagree with, I’m already reciting my rebuttals. No matter what they say moving forward, my head’s in a different dimension, on loop thinking ‘oh god Jo, quick - dissociate’. 

But the pro listeners - and I know you can think of some - are the ones who give their undivided attention to you when you speak.

When you finish, they aren’t branching off to what happened to them, but prompting you with questions from analysing what you’ve said. 

So that’s a challenge for me and you  – listen to understand, not to respond. 

Here’s a quote to ponder:

“The quieter you become, the more you can hear”

Ram dass