Ah . . . the art of listening. Even though you claim to be listening and you respond at the right moment with the typical ahs, uh-huhs, and yups, you may still find yourself in a daze. Just because the auditory process is working and the sound is going into your ears it doesn’t mean you have clear understanding.
Maybe even right now you’ve scanned this article up to this point and really haven’t given it your 100% undivided attention. Let’s stop and start again, this time with 100% intent. Okay, are you with me? I hope you went back to the drawing board and started from the top and now you are intent on getting everything possible out of this.
I have some rules for listening and they can apply to you. The very lessons I am speaking of can help you in your Martial Arts, with relationships, at school and at work. If you become a better listener you will become a better person.
Four Tips for Better Listening!
1. Make sure you are not distracted. Eliminate any outside factors that may take away your concentration.
2. When you listen, really listen. Do not let anything interfere, such as background noise, music etc. Stay focused on the topic at hand.
3. Look directly at the person you are listening to; do not shuffle through papers and do not engage in any other activity: eye contact or at least face contact is important.
4. Feed back what you have heard. “So this is what I understand that you’re saying. Is this correct?” Make sure you are on the same page.
Becoming an effective listener takes practice. I notice in my classes that only a portion of what goes into a person’s head is retained. And especially when I’m teaching young students, only a part of the information is learned. Even parents don’t always give their undivided attention to their children when they are talking. But it doesn’t need to be this way. Although this may be the case now, the best place to start to fix the problem is with you. Follow rules one through four and you will be well on your way to becoming a better listener. I assure you that this is something that will improve your relationships and communication with others making you a better Martial Artist, student, and friend. Just listen!
