Effective Listening

Highly successful people tend to be excellent listeners.

On the other hand, people who struggle in life tend to be so wrapped up in their own 'story' they can't really hear what is available for them.

Effective listeners have developed the ability to temporarily let go of their history, beliefs, assumptions, expectations, wants, needs, and desires in order to be open to new information and ideas. They, of course, don't change their opinions just because some new data shows up, but they are open to receiving it.

Listening is an important attribute of being open. Their model is listen, receive, evaluate, move forward. But people who must have their present and future be a certain way take those needs into every conversation. You know what it's like to talk with someone who's 'mind is already made up.' They are not effective listeners. And you have probably found them to be not very happy, satisfied, comfortable with life, nor fun to be around.

What can you do to temporarily let go of your story and practice really hearing the
abundant information, knowledge, and wisdom which surrounds you?