You Think That You?re Listening?. But Are You Actually Hearing What Im Saying?

"We have two ears and one mouth, so that we can listen twice as much as we speak" - Epictetus, Greek Stoic Philosopher. (55AD-135AD)

In our fast-paced culture conversations have little to do with communication - they are about talking. While one person speaks, the others are not hearing what is being said because they are already planning what they are going to say next. How much of what the speaker has said has actually been 'heard'? What is in your head when someone is speaking to you? Are the words that they are saying to you in there, or is it something else? Have you gone to some other place or are you with some other person, having a separate conversation in your mind? How much attention are you really paying?

Just for once, decide to have a day of listening, not speaking. When someone is talking to you, make a concerted effort to listen hard and comprehend what it is they are actually saying. If necessary, repeat back to them what you think they have said - just to be certain you have really taken in what they are trying to tell you. Give them time to finish their sentences, without jumping in because you think you know what they are going to say next. You may be wrong. This is called 'active listening' and is a skill that takes practice.

Suddenly, the communication you have with people is heightened. The more you listen the more meaningful everything will become. People will respond better to you if they feel you are really listening and by 'hearing' what others are saying you may find that you learn something.

Kate Harper is based in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. Check out her website http://www.harpercoaching.com

She works with people who are fed up with moaning about their lives and have decided to do something about it. If that is you, please see Kate's website. She is happy to work with people from any part of the world.

"The distance is nothing; it is only the first step that is difficult." -Madame Marie du Deffand

Take your first step today and contact Kate.

More Resources

Why Do We Lack Character
Our people have no character" is acknowledged universally, at home and abroad, in business and government circles, and in every sphere of administrative activity. Lack of character produces social imbalance and leads ultimately to national decline and disintegration.
How To Get Lucky
Would you like to get lucky? There are at least a dozen ways. The simplest one is to just start looking for good luck.
Lottery Winners Lose It All
You have heard it time and again. Lottery Winners lose it all and trust fund babies waste their parent's hard earned cash.
You're Right to an Abundant Life
We are all part of the universe. The universe is a living, breathing thing.
Use Your Vibrations of Energy to Communicate
In the past, I have touched on the connection of quantum physics and communication. One of my passions is to understand the connection that we create on a much higher level.
Change Thorns into Flowers
If you had to write an annual appraisal on yourself how would you describe yourself?? Are you a mental sprinter who sees things quickly and easily? Do you react to things in a flash? Are you capable of making quick decisions?? Do you find yourself watching others and saying to yourself, I could do that so much quicker?? Do you find yourself taking on more work because you felt it was easier and quicker for you to do it? Do you feel that you waste so much time waiting for others to complete work?? Do you feel irritable inside? Do you get frustrated because others don't seem to understand what you are saying and where you are going?? Do you find you always want to hurry things up? Do you feel more comfortable when things are concluded rather than left waiting?? Do you find yourself running out of patience with partner, children, colleagues because they seem to take more time or appear to lack concentration and go off on 'stupid' tangents which have little or no relevance to the project?? Are you the alert, quick acting person who is known as the achiever?? Are you that person who is good at developing ideas and keeping them on track?If you own up to a couple or more of these traits and feel really irritable and impatient with yourself and those around you. If you feel that you are always clock watching.
Dealing with Mr.Charisma
Do you ever find yourself in situations where you feel overwhelmed by the person who is speaking to you. It is as if their charisma and enthusiasm takes over and you just cannot seem to think for yourself.
Antagonists And Fear
It is important to have your own values, beliefs and understanding of the world around you and not let fear take hold of you.The quote, "My life has been filled with terrible misfortune; most of which never happened.
Why Do We Settle? You Have the POWER to Change the Outcome
Why do we settle for less and then make excuses for everyone? Perhaps it is a way to avoid confrontation, or it could be that we simply don't have time, or choose not to deal with poor customer service and the boss who promised a raise that never quite made its way to our paycheck. Those are some of the possibilities, but there is another option- we settle, or make excuses, for others because we have given away our power to the other person involved in the equation.
4 Important Conversation Tips for Your Personal and Professional Lives
If you are searching for a way to improve your communication skills at work and in your personal life, here are some conversation tips that will give you a good starting point.Your personal and business environments may be very different, but the skills needed to communicate effectively are basically the same.
Abundance is a Feeling
This question and answer interview was done by Kathy Smith, one of Michael's loyal Virtual Assistants. Visit her website.
The Centre of Creative Powers!
Evolution is nothing but seeking with clarity, demanding clarity at every moment. Every moment clarify to yourself the greater purpose of everything you do.
The Power of Desire - Part 1
What is Desire? Let us see! Webster tells us that it is:"The natural longing to possess any seeming good; eager wish to obtain or enjoy," or in its abnormal or degenerate sense:"excessive or morbid longing; lust; appetite. "Desire" is a much-abused term - the public mind has largely identified it with its abnormal or degenerate phase, just mentioned, ignoring its original and true sense.
How do I Know if Im Getting any of This Law of Attraction Stuff?
This is a popular question people ask me. How do you know if I am mastering the art of Deliberate Attraction? Is there an advanced course I can take? My answer is always the same, "The application of this material into your daily life IS the advanced course!" To help you gauge where you're at in the mastery of Law of Attraction, I've compiled a list of seven sure-fire ways to tell if YOU are joining the thousands of people who really are mastering this stuff.
Etch a Sketch or Oil Painting: Where Do You Need to Take a Stand?
Maybe can be a great place. It's full of possibility, it can feel like there's an escape hatch available at all times.
Manifesting Money
You are a money magnet. Money is flowing to you twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, even on holidays.
Your Default Settings
Buy a computer--any computer--and it comes loaded with software automatically set to certain default settings. For example, the default setting for Word is Times New Roman 12-point.
The Powerful Mastermind Team
Your Access to AchievementA few years ago I read the book, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I remember being very intrigued by the title and wondered "How could anyone grow rich just by thinking?When I first began to grasp a fragment of what the book was revealing about success, I was reading it again as a result of a business I was working with.
Your Life and Prosperity Are In Your Reputation!
"Your good name and your reputation are EVERYTHING! ? Protect them at all costs!" my father used to say to me when I was a lad.Even at a young age, I knew there was something important in what my dad was trying to tell me.
Universal Law Series - the Law of Cause & Effect
This is the third of seven articles in our continuing series on Universal Law. The focus of this article is the Law of Cause & Effect.

More Attraction Information:

Related Articles

The Wealth-Receiving Mindset
Here is an exercise for you that will develop what I call the wealth-receiving mindset:I want you to think about the time in your life when you had the most money you have ever had.I don't care if the most money you've ever had was ten bucks, I want you to think about it right now.
Four Steps to Attracting More Good Luck
The Luck Factor rips apart the notion that luck is something that just happens. Dr.
How to Improve Your Love Life with the Power of Feng Shui - Without Spending a Dime!
FENG shui (say "fung shway") is the art of creating a home environment that supports the life you wish to live. A key element of feng shui is creating a smooth flow of chi (positive energy) through your space.
What Characters Teach Us about Character
Character is that which defines us; it's what people will remember about us long after we're gone. The TV News, Radio Talk Shows, News-Magazines and the daily Paper are replete with stories about characters.
Would You Rather Be Wealthy?
Would you rather be wealthy or poverty-stricken? Not a difficult question to answer, is it? How do you think your thoughts impact on your financial state?Just as the earth contains in its depths great riches--oil, diamonds, gold, uranium, silver, gas and countless other things--you also have the real riches of life deep within you. Your innate intelligence and your willingness to use your mind are precious.
The Magic of Breathing
So, what is magic? Is it an illusion or is it real? The Webster's dictionary describes magic as "The art of producing affects by superhuman means; Any mysterious power, ex: the magic of love. Producing extraordinary results, as if by magic".
How To Put An End To Rejection
Rejection is one of the most painful experiences in relationships. Not only rejection from our partner, but also rejection from ourselves.
Demanding Miracles
Have you ever had an overwhelming problem or issue? Was there some circumstance in your life that seemed beyond your ability to handle it? Have you ever called out to God, Buddha, guardian angels, The Force, your higher self, Mohammed, Mother Earth, whatever name you give that spirit? To find an all-encompassing name without prejudice towards any one belief system, I'll just hereby use the word 'god' to refer to whatever or whoever it is that you pray to for assistance and guidance. Have you cried out to your god for help and guidance with some crisis in your life? Did you get an answer? Did you get help?When we get the help and assistance we've just asked for, we assume all is well in the heavens.
What's Bugging You?
Some people lure romance to them. Some folks magnetize riches.
Coping As A Caregiver
Few people are prepared for the responsibilities and tasks involved in caring for loved ones who are ill, elderly, or disabled. The success of the relationship between you and your loved one depends on several factors.
10 Keys to Prosperity
1. Everyday, in everyway, bless the universe in as much ways as possible.
How to Create a Thriving Prosperous Life
You only have to look around you at your friends, family and colleagues to see that there is an abundance of people who have talents, yet many are held back by a mortgage, a family, lack of confidence or some other reason.Deep inside us we all have a dream of living a thriving, prosperous life, but often we're unsure of how to navigate our way through the issues that come our way, and too many people, too often, give up and start making excuses to themselves about success being for others.
The 3 Steps To Communication Mastery
Although you know better, you do not apply all that you have learned when it comes to making the most of yourself. If this istrue for you, then how are you going to improve?Awareness is key.
Be Your Own Best Friend
What does being a "best friend" mean to you? I imagine that just about everyone is or has been a best friend to someone in their lives. I encourage you to take some time and examine what being someone's best friend really means.
The Power of Perspective
You limit yourself. Yes, it is true.
You Too Can Have Charisma
Do you know anyone that everyone seems to be drawn to? You continue to watch as this person moves around the room attracting and chatting with and making friends with manypeople.What do they have that you don't think you have? Charisma.
What Keeps You From Your Destiny
Heading back to the car after lunch, a good-looking guy with a swagger caught my attention.Or rather his t-shirt did!Emblazoned across his back were the words, 'I create the havoc that keeps me from my destiny.
Embrace Change
Last Sunday I was sitting in on a class we conduct for newcomers at our church. One of our pastors said, "If we don't change, we aren't growing, and if we aren't growing, we are dying".
Ten Tips For Setting (And Keeping) Life Changing Resolutions
It's time for that annual ritual of making (and breaking) our New Year's resolutions. There is something about the idea of being able to start over that motivates us to pause (at least briefly) and reflect on our lives as they are, as well as how we would like them to be.
How to Manage Self Consciousness
Self consciousness is an essential part of being human, but it can make social situations really tricky sometimes. Here's what you can do about it if it happens to you.