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Abstract

If something else is on your mind and is making listening difficult for you, let them know. During conscious listening, it is important that you pay attention to tone, facial expression, and body language which may relay information that is not being said.</p><h2 id="ea00">2. Train Your Mind to Listen</h2><p id="dbe7">Relax while being attentive. Bring your attention to the speaker. You don’t have to keep staring at them in the eyes the entire time. You can naturally look away now and then. The most important thing is to be attentive and conscious. Screen out distractions like background activity and noise and control your own thoughts and feelings.</p><blockquote id="966a"><p>If you’re finding it particularly difficult to concentrate on what someone is saying, try repeating their words in your mind as they say them — this will help you stay focused.</p></blockquote><h2 id="70f2">3. Maintain Eye Contact</h2><p id="5265">Look at me when I am talking to you. You might have heard this phrase as a child. Eye contact is a basic requirement for effective communication.</p><p id="ccd3">If you are listening to somebody on the phone, give them your undivided attention. Show them you are listening by saying things like <i>uh-huh, yea, </i>or other affirming gestures that show that you are paying attention to what is being said. This does not mean you agree — it just means that you are listening to what they are saying.</p><h2 id="0eb8">4. Avoid Unnecessary Interruption</h2><p id="1e6e">It is so tempting to interrupt when you also got things you need to get off your chest as quickly as possible. But wait for the speaker to pause before you proceed to speak. When you don’t understand something, ask them to explain it to you. But rather than interrupt, wait until the speaker pauses.</p><p id="fcd6">When listening to someone talk about a problem, avoid giving advice or suggesting solutions. Most people don’t want your advice and if they do, they will ask for it. Interrupting is a waste of time. It frustrates the speaker and prevents you from fully grasping the message.</p><figure id="012f"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*6TF3xqcs-CzCIKTS6ZnFwA.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@themirraz?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Yuya Hata</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/talking?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="e136">5. Listen Actively</h2><p id="5174">Most people are thinking of how they will respond when someone is talking. When you practice active listening, you make the other person feel

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heard. Focus your mind on what the person is saying.</p><p id="26ae">Practice this by listening to people talk and give feedback on what you heard. You will notice that it gets much easier to focus on their words when you aren’t worrying about how you will respond. And also practice makes perfect.</p><h2 id="97db">6. Develop a Desire to Learn and Improve</h2><p id="fe52">All conversations are a learning opportunity. There is always a chance to discover or learn something new and interesting. Everybody you have a conversation with has the potential to teach you something.</p><p id="480c">Be open to the idea that your own way of seeing things may not be the only way. Conscious listening becomes a way to continue on your self-improvement journey.</p><h2 id="8fcc">7. Show Empathy for the Speaker</h2><p id="133e">Try to feel how the speaker is feeling. If they are feeling sad, show them you care. If they are excited about something, be excited for them. Place yourself in their shoes and look at the world from their perspective.</p><p id="0b78">To show empathy for a person is to put yourself in their shoes and feel whatever it is they are feeling. Also, show empathy by acknowledging the speaker with a nod. This shows them you are listening to them. Do this in a way that encourages the speaker to keep talking.</p><h2 id="20f8">Benefits of Conscious Listening</h2><p id="452f">Conscious listening is an intention — you build trust, become authentic and you show others that you care. You also learn about yourself and others. Through conscious listening, you can empower others to share their true thoughts. By paying attention to the speaker, you empower them to speak their mind.</p><p id="f51c">The information you receive will help you understand where the person is coming from, which leads to stronger, more empowering relationships. When we consciously listen to others, we show them they are loved and cared for — and their presence in our lives is important to us. This can be conveyed by just being consciously present in mind and body.</p><p id="745c">Through conscious listening, you’ll be able to create more trust, understanding, love, and intimacy in your relationships. You’ll achieve more intentional, peaceful, loving relationships both personal and professional. This will then lead to greater joy, peace, and happiness.</p><p id="57f5">Now I want to hear from you. What are your thoughts on this topic? How are your listening skills? Did you know about conscious listening prior to reading this?</p><p id="fade">Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and thank you so much for reading.</p><p id="c397">If you are ever on Instagram let’s connect ✨</p></article></body>

How to Improve Your Conscious Listening Skills

From active listening to conscious listening

You might be familiar with active listening, but have you heard of conscious listening? Conscious listening gives you the chance to truly understand the person you are listening to.

I was recently talking to a close friend of mine whose company I truly enjoy, but after he stopped talking, I realized that I wasn't really listening to anything he’s just said. I tried to remember, but I couldn’t. I had gotten distracted by my own thoughts and feelings. I immediately knew this was a problem I needed to address.

Conscious listening is the act of being present during a conversation while being aware of your own feelings but also paying attention to the needs and feelings of others. Conscious listening is being mindful while listening to another person speak and allowing them to express themselves without interrupting or judging.

Listening is one of the most important skills you can have or learn. We pay attention to our ability to speak well and fluently, but not on how consciously we listen to others talk about the things that matter to them.

We listen but don't retain the information because we get distracted by our own racing thoughts or simply because we are not interested in what the other person is saying.

But by becoming a conscious listener, you can boost your productivity and increase your ability to persuade, influence, and negotiate with others. You’ll avoid conflict and misunderstandings.

Conscious listening can help us solve problems, ensure understanding, and resolve conflicts. In the workplace, effective listening helps us avoid errors and costly mistakes.

Here are 7 tips to help you improve your conscious listening skills.

1. Be in the Present Moment

Conscious listening requires being intentionally present. Have you ever been speaking to someone and found that they are distracted by something and not really listening to you? You probably thought that was disrespectful. You may lose interest in talking with this person.

2. Train Your Mind to Listen

Relax while being attentive. Bring your attention to the speaker. You don’t have to keep staring at them in the eyes the entire time. You can naturally look away now and then. The most important thing is to be attentive and conscious. Screen out distractions like background activity and noise and control your own thoughts and feelings.

If you’re finding it particularly difficult to concentrate on what someone is saying, try repeating their words in your mind as they say them — this will help you stay focused.

3. Maintain Eye Contact

Look at me when I am talking to you. You might have heard this phrase as a child. Eye contact is a basic requirement for effective communication.

If you are listening to somebody on the phone, give them your undivided attention. Show them you are listening by saying things like uh-huh, yea, or other affirming gestures that show that you are paying attention to what is being said. This does not mean you agree — it just means that you are listening to what they are saying.

4. Avoid Unnecessary Interruption

It is so tempting to interrupt when you also got things you need to get off your chest as quickly as possible. But wait for the speaker to pause before you proceed to speak. When you don’t understand something, ask them to explain it to you. But rather than interrupt, wait until the speaker pauses.

When listening to someone talk about a problem, avoid giving advice or suggesting solutions. Most people don’t want your advice and if they do, they will ask for it. Interrupting is a waste of time. It frustrates the speaker and prevents you from fully grasping the message.

5. Listen Actively

Most people are thinking of how they will respond when someone is talking. When you practice active listening, you make the other person feel heard. Focus your mind on what the person is saying.

Practice this by listening to people talk and give feedback on what you heard. You will notice that it gets much easier to focus on their words when you aren’t worrying about how you will respond. And also practice makes perfect.

6. Develop a Desire to Learn and Improve

All conversations are a learning opportunity. There is always a chance to discover or learn something new and interesting. Everybody you have a conversation with has the potential to teach you something.

Be open to the idea that your own way of seeing things may not be the only way. Conscious listening becomes a way to continue on your self-improvement journey.

7. Show Empathy for the Speaker

Try to feel how the speaker is feeling. If they are feeling sad, show them you care. If they are excited about something, be excited for them. Place yourself in their shoes and look at the world from their perspective.

To show empathy for a person is to put yourself in their shoes and feel whatever it is they are feeling. Also, show empathy by acknowledging the speaker with a nod. This shows them you are listening to them. Do this in a way that encourages the speaker to keep talking.

Benefits of Conscious Listening

Conscious listening is an intention — you build trust, become authentic and you show others that you care. You also learn about yourself and others. Through conscious listening, you can empower others to share their true thoughts. By paying attention to the speaker, you empower them to speak their mind.

The information you receive will help you understand where the person is coming from, which leads to stronger, more empowering relationships. When we consciously listen to others, we show them they are loved and cared for — and their presence in our lives is important to us. This can be conveyed by just being consciously present in mind and body.

Through conscious listening, you’ll be able to create more trust, understanding, love, and intimacy in your relationships. You’ll achieve more intentional, peaceful, loving relationships both personal and professional. This will then lead to greater joy, peace, and happiness.

Now I want to hear from you. What are your thoughts on this topic? How are your listening skills? Did you know about conscious listening prior to reading this?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and thank you so much for reading.

If you are ever on Instagram let’s connect ✨