In Others’ Words: Do You Hear What I Hear?

I wouldn’t say I never listen.

But there have been times when I haven’t listened. Sometimes it was a case of tuning someone out — yes, deliberately — because I didn’t want to hear what was being said. Sometimes it was exhaustion, pure and simple. And sometimes I didn’t realize my attention had wandered until something — a question maybe, or a long pause — pulled me back into the conversation.

Awkward.

The older I get, the more I value listening. Yes, being listened to — but even more, I want to hear what people are saying. I want to be present. I don’t want to be a long-winded, one-sided conversation.

For me, listening completely means I turn my back to my computer. Or I silence my iPhone or TV. Or I stop talking — plain and simple.

In Your Words: How do you ensure that you listen completely?

“Most People Never Listen.” Excuse me, what did you say? Click to Tweet

Are you listening completely? Click to Tweet