7 Tips to Become a Better Listener (Communication 101 Series)

Do you listen to understand or to respond? Here’s the hard truth: most of us do not have good listening skills. We just don’t. We are not good listeners even though we think we are. In today’s episode, you’ll learn seven tips on becoming a better listener and the art of wholehearted communication. I’m super passionate about this topic because I see communication gone wild all.of.the.time. The good news is with a few tweaks, anyone can become a better listener and have more mutually beneficial conversations with those they care about.

Psychology and Science Say You Don’t Listen Well

Did you know that there are psychological and scientific reasons why we don’t listen well? First, our brains process what people are saying almost four times faster than the rate they’re saying it. This is why we finish each other’s sentences (and cut each other off). Listening skills are indeed, an art. Secondly, our brain can’t handle too much information, so it begins to weed out what it deems unimportant or unneeded (like your spouse’s request for you to clean the gutters or pay off that credit card). But let’s not blame science. Let’s learn from it.

ALSO LISTEN TO: How to Hear God’s Voice

Develop Good Listening Skills in 7 Ways

I truly believe most of us have good intentions when it comes to our listening skills. We just don’t complete the mission. In the podcast episode, I share seven practical tips for listening better, including listening with your eyes, listening without pre-conceived judgments, listening for the main point, listening to what’s actually being said (and what’s not being said), and more. If you follow these principles, you will notice a significant improvement in your relationships and marriage. Be sure to listen to all seven tips on the podcast.

Find great listening exercises and more on hearing vs listening here. 

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