Listening and Communication

Do you take the time to really listen to people when you’re having a conversation? The temptation to be always thinking of the next thing you want to say is a strong one, whether you’re talking or texting. But it can be so valuable to slow down and consider what someone is saying in depth. Let’s turn our focus outward this month, and pay some extra attention to what other people are thinking, feeling, and saying! This challenge offers a chance to build emotional resilience and strengthen our social network.

Habit:
Reflect back to someone your understanding of what they’re trying to get across. (“I hear you saying…”)
Ask a follow-up question to keep the conversation moving.

Daily:
Take a genuine interest in someone else’s ideas, feelings, or experiences!

To Do:
Ask a friend or family member to tell you a story from their childhood.
Let somebody tell you about their hobby!

Reflection:
Remembering to listen well is always a challenge for me. It was beneficial to spend a whole month focusing on it! It even gave me a little more patience in listening to my kiddo’s long stories about YouTube videos she has watched. I think it would be a great idea to repeat this challenge sometime!