Listening, often overlooked, is a vital aspect of the human communication process. While speaking is often practiced and emphasized by many, the art of listening isn’t one on which we find people spending much effort. In actuality, listening is easy and can be improved by following just a few simple steps.
Being a good listener means that everything you hear comes directly from the speaker and not from your interpretation of their words. This means that, as the speaker is talking, you are listening to the words as they are being spoken instead of trying to guess the point that the speaker is trying to make. People are often guilty of jumping to conclusions when they do this and, in doing so, they disrupt their listening ability. When jumping to conclusions, the person often doesn’t hear the speaker’s message because it is blocked out by his or her own assumptions. Good listeners absorb all of the information while the words are being spoken and avoid thinking ahead and forming their own conclusions.
Giving the speaker your undivided attention is probably one of the most important tips to good communication. Concentrate on the speaker’s words and avoid tuning out their message. When speaking on the phone, many people engage in other activities such as reading newspapers, checking email and other activities that can distract from the conversation. Many listeners zone out during face-to-face situations by either thinking about their response to the speaker or by daydreaming about something completely unrelated to the subject.
When you allow yourself to be distracted, your listening skills are not what they need to be. Missing a critical point of the speaker’s presentation can be the result of just a small amount of distraction. If you can focus your attention completely on the speaker, you will hear all that is being said. In addition, you can ensure that you are being a good listener and are taking in all of the pertinent information.
One technique of being a better listener involves creating mental images of the speaker’s words. This is a way of visualization that allows you to really comprehend the words you are hearing. These visualization skills can enhance the way that people process information. By using these mental images, you will help yourself by retaining the information you have just heard. This enhanced and improved comprehension makes you a better listener.
Taking care to note your body language can be another way to be a good listener. You will offend your listener if you engage in body language that lets the speaker feel that he or she is not being listened to. Behaviors such as avoiding eye contact, crossing your arms or wincing can send a message to a speaker that you are not really listening to them. These types of body language or mannerisms can result in the conversation being cut short because the speaker does not feel you are interested in what they are saying.
You can also consider asking questions that relate to the speaker’s statements. This technique can also help you to become a better listener. Remember to ask questions without allowing your questions to interfere with your listening ability. If you find yourself focusing on one of the speaker’s key points and spending the rest of the conversation trying to think of a question that addresses that point, you will miss a lot of information. Instead, try asking your questions immediately when you think of them. This way, you can have your question answered in the context of the speaker’s presentation without having it affect your listening abilities. When you ask questions as part of listening, it allows the speaker to recognize that his or her presentation is being followed and that you are interested in learning more about the topic.
If you practice your listening skills, you will be well on your way to becoming a better listener. Try making a conscientious effort to use your listening skills each time you speak to someone or participate in a presentation. Remain completely focused on the conversation or presentation and try not to guess what the speaker is going to say. Create mental images of the words being spoken and ask valid questions to confirm what you have just heard. Each time you have the opportunity to listen, try to work on these important listening skills.
While listening is not as widely practiced as speaking in the art of conversation, it is just as important. When you are an excellent listener, you will not only ensure that you are receiving information but will assure the speaker that you care about the information being presented and that you understand their message.
College Essay!!!!!!!!!!!!! Need your helppppppp ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!?
Here is my college essay …I am applying to a university and i wanted to know if this is okay how it sounds to you! and how it would sound to them! Please let me know my errors!!!!!!!! Thank you so much!
When I look at this picture of myself, I realize how much I’ve grown and changed, not only physically, but also mentally as a person in the last couple of years. Less than one month after this photograph was taken, I arrived at North Shore Community College without any idea of what to expect. Around me in this picture are the things which were most important in my life at the time: becoming somebody.
I will strive to be a tremendous asset to Northeastern University by devoting all my time and life to becoming an excellent Student. I believe that I am obligated to use my talents in a constructive manner, in a manner that benefits society. The medical career gives me the unique opportunity to express my many talents while benefiting human life.
I believe that my ability to improved and expanded my communication skills since I was constantly meeting new communicate makes me well suited to pursue a medical career. I also consider myself a "people" person. As a sales consultant, I see a lot of people and discussing different topics. Because people constantly disclosed their personal issues to me, I learned to become not only a good conversationalist, but also an excellent listener. In medical school, I also plan to pursue side work like Volunteering. One of my most rewarding experiences has been helping patients as a Personal Care Attendant.
I am Highly motivated to succeed, I dramatically improved my grades following a time of confusion and immaturity at North Shore Community College, which was brought on by family.. In the past year I have learned a lot through my experiences and relationships. I’ve realized that I was trying so much to make everyone else happy that I wasn’t keeping myself and my interests in mind at times when I should have. Once I realized what goal I wanted to pursue in life, I worked hard to succeed in life
I have been diligent in my pursuit of medicine as a career because I am convinced that medicine offers me the opportunity to live a fulfilling, rewarding life dedicated to helping others. I will enter medicine eager to learn. Attending Northeastern University would be one of the greatest rewards for my motivation and persistence for success.
kooool
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Your probably not going to believe me but it sounds very professional and great.GOOD LUCK AND HOPE I HELPED.
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Its good but, the tone should be lowered a bit. It sounds very "begging to sell myself" a little bit.
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"as a person" -is not necessary
"Around me in this picture are the things which were most important in my life at the time: becoming somebody."-becoming somebody is not one of the "things" around you that is most imporant to you
-the first paragraph is not focused and i don't see a thesis
"by devoting all my time and life to becoming an excellent Student." – you can't devote your whole life to becoming an excellent student b/c you won't be a student all your life, cut out the life
" believe that my ability to improved and expanded my communication skills since I was constantly meeting new communicate " should be to "improve and expand" and what is a "communicate?"
"see a lot of people " – not as sophistacated as "numerous people or many"
"Because people constantly disclosed their personal issues to me, I learned to become not only a good conversationalist, but also an excellent listener. In medical school, I also plan to pursue side work like Volunteering. " you need a transition between these two sentences
"confusion and immaturity at North Shore Community College, which was brought on by family.. " – should not be two periods and i don't think this sentence is appropriate – you are blaming your bad grades on your family – will not be looked happily upon
" Once I realized what goal I wanted to pursue in life, I worked hard to succeed in life" you said succeed already and you are not done with succeeding so it should not be past tense
"have been diligent in my pursuit of medicine as a career because I am convinced that medicine offers me the opportunity to live a fulfilling, rewarding life dedicated to helping others. " good sentence
it needs a LOT of work. Try to get others to edit it for you and read it aloud and you will catch many mistakes overlooked when reading to yourself. Good Luck!
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Change: "Around me in this picture are the things which were most important in my life at the time"
To: "Around me in this picture are the things THAT were most important in my life at the time"
Change: "to becoming an excellent Student"
To: "to becoming an excellent student"
Change: "I believe that I am obligated to use my talents in a constructive manner, in a manner that benefits society."
To: "I believe that I am obligated to use my talents in a constructive manner that benefits society."
Change: "I believe that my ability to improved and expanded my communication skills since I was constantly meeting new communicate makes me well suited to pursue a medical career."
To: "I believe that I am well suited to pursue a medical career due to my achievement of improved and expanded communication skills." I don't quite understand the part of the sentence: "since I was constantly meeting new communicate" You might try rewording to make it clearer and then putting it back into your sentence — or add a new sentence to emphasize that point.
Change: " I also consider myself a "people" person."
To: "I am a friendly, ammicable person with great care and assistance towards others as a top priority." The people person phrase has really been over-killed on so many applications. I wouldn't use such a cliche expression.
Change: "As a sales consultant, I see a lot of people and discussing different topics."
To: "As a sales consultant, I interact and communicate with a variety of people, thereby expanding my ability to discuss a wide range of topics."
Hon, I have to get off the computer. If you like my editing so far, email me and I'd be happy to have a crack at it this evening. Take care!
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English major in college (speciality in Brit Lit), and worked as an editor for years. Has nothing to do with the previous, but I'm now a CPA. <shrug> You never know what life will bring to you. >^..^<
first of all and most importantly, change "i've" to "I have". It is actually a kind of slang, and i have would be much more appealing.
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