WHEN LISTENING CAN BE HARD WORK!!
Listening skills are important for understanding and communication and I can sometimes struggle with this.
A beautiful friend kindly sent me some ‘The Value in You’ inspirational learning cards last year. I have decided to start using them for my project.
The card states that ‘Listening means paying attention to what is being said rather than hearing what you want to hear.’
I am a good listener when the subject is relative and of importance.
I am guilty to a degree. I find it hard to pay attention to anything boring or repetitive as it is of no interest to me. I find myself having to interrupt the conversation to move away from the subject.
As I have mentioned in my previous blogs, I have an incredibly low concentration span and lose interest easily, when people tend to give me the intricate details. I find long drawn-out conversations overwhelmingly boring, and I zone out.
It may be seen as rude and disrespectful; however, I just like when someone gets straight to the point. It would have to be significant for anything to grab my full attention.
I recently attended a training session to ‘Chairing a Meeting’ statistically I have found that most people found that their ‘worse hate’ were the people who over-talked and taken up all the time.
I find it very annoying and irritating when someone does not know when to ‘shut-up’ and they love the sound of their own voice. They have no awareness or respect for anyone else in the room.
I like sharing my knowledge and expertise on some subjects and listening to others who want to understand me.
The only time I can over-talk and not pay attention to what someone is saying, is when I am having a manic episode and most people who really know me will make me aware of this.
I have never chaired a formal meeting before. I pray that I do not upset people too much when I strictly monitor how much time people have, to give me feedback.
There are few meetings that I have attended that have good timekeeping with group sharing, this is a major concern for me.
I would lay down the ground rules at the start of the meeting. If a person too much time, I would have to interrupt them by thanking them for their input.
‘I am aware of the time, and I would like everyone to have a chance, does anyone else wish to share.’ SIMPLE!!
It is a shame that people find it hard to control a meeting as they fear they will make enemies hence why they are not strict enough.
I also do not like listening to someone who sounds like ‘they swallowed a dictionary’ they use the most complicated long words to explain themselves.
No, it does not mean that they are intelligent and intellectual it just makes them feel like they are.
IF YOU CAN’T UNDERSTAND THEM DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK THEM TO SIMPLIFY THIS!
Expressing your opinion should not be a complicated procedure unless you make it so.
We live in a diverse society and each of us are at different range of knowledge and understanding. We are all unique in our own way.
We must treat each person as an individual to be able to communicate well so they understand the message.
There are many reasons why some people find it hard to listen. It could be that they are not interested in the subject or that they do not understand.
If you find that people seem distracted, you should think about changing your talking method for the individual.
REMEMBER EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN INTERESTS!!!
NOT EVERYONE IS ABLE TO CONCENTRATE ON LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS ESPECIALLY IF IT DOES NOT RESONATE WITH THEM!
If I think that s subject has been over-talked, I change the subject.
IF YOU ARE REALLY FINDING A CONVERSATION BORING BE TACTFUL, BUT ABOVE ALL BE HONEST!
Personally, I do not want to have my time wasted discussing something that either bores me or triggers me.’ It is all about self-care.
In everything there must be a balance.
Natalie Bleau
The Scripture of Balance
