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Can You Hear Me Now?
It’s more than hearing the words. True listening involves an active attempt to grasp the speaker’s message. It’s a give and take process. It’s a talent that is honed and refined. How do your listening skills measure up? Are you a skillful listener or do your friends’ words travel in one ear and out the other? You can assess your ability to listen by asking yourself a few questions. 1. Do you multitask when listening? – One of the biggest obstacles to listening is the attempt to do five other tasks simultaneously. While talking to a friend on the phone, you’re also folding laundry, downloading a new song to your iTunes account, and shooing your kids off to bed. Chances are that you’re not really granting a genuine listening ear when your head is somewhere else. 2. Do you listen actively? – Instead of passively indulging your friend, co-worker, spouse, or children, try active listening. At breaks in the conversation, rephrase what the person has said to you. “So, you’re saying that…” or “I can see how you feel…” 3. How often do you interrupt? – Say, what? That’s right! You know that you’ve done it before. Listening half-heartedly to whatever your companion has to say, all the while planning what you’re going to say next. But, interrupting simply to spill out what you’ve been itching to say makes the conversation all about you. Conversations should be give-and-take. Rather than thinking of what to say next, think instead about how to best support the other person in the conversation. 4. How’s your body language? – For in-person conversations, body language is key. Crossing your arms, looking at your watch, or gazing at other people in the room are signs of disinterest. Instead, face the speaker and lean towards him or her. 5. Is silence truly golden? – Silent pauses are uncomfortable for most people. So, try taking some time each day for intentional silence – turn-off the computer, television, and find a place to quietly meditate. Grow more confident and comfortable in moments of silence when you’re alone, and that skill will transcend to times in conversation with others. A moment of silence can be a great time to reflect on what another person has said. 6. When do you take time for yourself? – If you never have time to invest in yourself, then you’ll find it impossible to be a good listener and support others. Jazzercise Founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett recommends taking at least 30 minutes per day to do something positive for yourself – such as a brisk walk, express fitness class, a dip in the pool, or writing in a journal. You’ll then be refreshed and more able to give of yourself to others. Jazzercise, created by Judi Sheppard Missett, is the world's leading dance-fitness program with more than 7,500 instructors teaching 32,000 classes weekly in the U.S. and around the globe. Since 1969, millions of people of all ages and fitness levels have reaped the benefits of this comprehensive program, designed to enhance cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. For more information on Jazzercise go to jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT or (760)476-1750. ### Courtesy
of Jazzercise, Inc. - jazzercise.com |