Adrienne Brown explains real listening is an art form
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Our fast-paced world stimulates our senses on a regular basis. From the various social media channels to the food we see, smell and taste, our senses are triggered on a regular basis.
Most of our natural senses function involuntarily. If we have the ability to do so, we don’t have to turn on the ability to see, taste, smell, and feel. The sense of hearing, on the other hand, requires the deliberate ability to listen.
The art of listening could be why we are sometimes shocked and amazed when someone can repeat something they have heard in. The other four senses provide internal satisfaction: human interaction is not required to experience these senses. However, listening requires interaction with at least one individual. More importantly, the sense of hearing requires listening.
Listening is deliberate. Listening requires focus, which nowadays appears to be a “nice to have” instead of a requirement on one brings our world closer and we require us to “let something out”. Listening requires us to pause (for the slightest moment) and “take in”. It is ok to pause and acknowledge the people around you and the things they are doing.
Three steps to listening:
1. Focus: Give someone your undivided attention. Listen intently
2. Eye Contact: Wandering eyes can indicate you are not interested
3. Follow Up: Have a conversation with someone and really listen to the responses. The next time you meet up, bring up a point that was discussed in your previous encounter. Then, watch the amazement in their eyes…
Photo: Flickr/Egrodziak