Listening to others requires entering actively and imaginatively into the situation and trying to understand a frame of reference different from your own, and yet so many of us don't listen properly as we should. Listening means more than just sitting silently while someone else talks.
Here are some ways to become a better listener.
Make sure you actually hear fully what your friend is saying, and you can't cut your friend off verbally carelessly. While you might intend to help move the conversation along your friend might feel as if what he has said needs to be continually talked over or sounds anything but interesting.
Nod to encourage the conversation along. A better option to let your friend know you're interested in what he says is just to nod along from time to time. Sometimes you nod along but then start thinking about something unrelated to what he could say.
Turn out background noise. If you're easily distracted by laughter, glasses clinking, children crying, you might need to work extra hard to focus only on your friend. Don't hesitate to tell them that the background noises are getting in the way. If you can't focus, try moving to another area.
Don't text or look at your phone! For you see, when you're sitting in front of someone, he is the most important person in your world at that moment.
A. Stop the speaker whenever you have a question.
B. Practice silence when someone else is talking.
C. If necessary, ask your friend to repeat himself.
D. Whoever is calling or texting can wait until you're done with your conversation.
E. It means trying to see the problem the way the speaker sees it.
F. In this case, try to push away your thoughts until you're absorbed in what your friend is saying.
G Remembering ideas from previous conversations proves that your attention is kept and encourages your friend to continue.
