Do you actually take the time to LISTEN?
By LaLa Leo
@mrscallands22 (2852)
United States
February 20, 2012 11:51pm CST
The less you talk... the more you're listened to...
Do you agree or disagree with this statement? I feel that most of the time people spend so much time speaking about things and voicing their opinions that they rarely take the time to process and think about what they are listening to. There is a huge difference between hearing something and actually listening. So which one are you... a narrator or an avid listener? How well are your listening skills? Or do you just hear what you want to hear...?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
16 Mar 12
Not a good talker to be honest with you. So really, since I am not a good talker, I really have to fall right back into being a good listener. That is just something that I have learned over time, with some trial and error to say the very least. But I think that I do take a fair amount of time to listen. Of course, some people could do a bit better job at giving me something engaging to listen to but I'm sure that they think it is something worth listening to.
So I do try and give them the common courtesy. I notice that people who do like to talk and are worth listening to, tend to not be the best listeners themselves. So perhaps not being a good talker, has made be a rather reasonable listener. Of course when people start rambling, it tends to really cause my listening to crumble just a little bit. Just a tiny bit but it is best to make an honest and solid attempt to enhance your listening.
1 person likes this
@mrscallands22 (2852)
• United States
3 Apr 12
Sometimes it is better to listen more because you learn a lot from an individual by what they say and the body language that accompanies the words that they are speaking. Generally, actions speak louder than words so I try to observe as well as listen.
Thanks for sharing!!
@dazzledlady (1618)
• Philippines
2 Mar 12
God gave us two ears and one mouth. It means we need to listen more than talk. But what happen is we love to ralk more about ourselves than actually listening to people who needs us. We can be proud at times and insensitive that we only hear what we want to hear. Each person alternates his/her ability to listen depending on the situation. Often its our choice
1 person likes this
@mrscallands22 (2852)
• United States
3 Apr 12
I agree wholeheartedly with you.
Thanks for commenting!!
@GemmaR (8517)
•
21 Feb 12
Listening to people is one of the best skills that anyone can have, but unfortunately it is not something that everybody is very good at lately. I have a friend and she will always say that she is here for me but she will interrupt everything that I am trying to say and make it about her or something that has happened to somebody in her family, and I don't think that people like this make very good listeners at all. I always try my best to listen and be supportive of my friends whenever they need me to be, and I think that they appreciate that a lot.
1 person likes this
@mrscallands22 (2852)
• United States
3 Apr 12
It sounds like to me that you are a great friend. Lots of people are going through things in their lives and I don't generally think that they mean to make things about them, but somehow when you hear someone speak of something that they can relate to, most human instinct is to relay how you feel, give your opinion and possibly a scenario similar to that of what is being described. The best way to handle that type of situation is to nonchalantly mention that you are on the subject of you without being offensive. This can be done in many ways such as when that person starts to veer off the conversation, once it is your turn to speak again, veer it back towards you instead of offering your input on what was just said. Or you can just tell her how you feel and maybe she can relate to that lol. Nonetheless, I'm sure she doesn't mean any harm by it and is only trying to help!
Thanks for sharing your views!!
@Metatronik (6199)
• Pasay, Philippines
2 Mar 12
Of course I am more into hear what I just want to hear. Because what is the sense of listening to those people who wouldn't say good things. I am a good listener and logical thinker as well. If you don't listen then chances are you will can never give a good advise to other people.
1 person likes this
@mrscallands22 (2852)
• United States
3 Apr 12
There are lots of people who feel that way.. they only really hear what they want to hear and those type of people miss a lot sometimes. I try to listen to everything good or bad, whether it interests me or not. This is so that I can provide positive insight and meaningful feedback to the person that is talking to me.
Thanks for sharing your opinion!!
@obe212003 (2299)
• Philippines
21 Feb 12
I am more of a listener than a talker, as they say "Less talk, less error!", lol! Seriously, listening is an art of infusing information and by that you get to widen your knowledge on things especially about a person's interest, life, etc. and obviously, it is quite refreshing and reassuring for someone especial if she/he talks and you are listening and hopefully understanding what he/she says.
1 person likes this
@mrscallands22 (2852)
• United States
21 Feb 12
I couldn't agree more. I feel that just by listening to someone talk or watching their body language, you can learn so much without even parting your lips to say one word. It's a tactic that many people in today's society don't use because everyone loves to hear themselves talk!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!
@mickeypeng (95)
• China
21 Feb 12
what I think is: the more you speak, the more you express yourself; the more you listen to, the more you know others.
so do not care about how much you speak or listen, just do when you need to.
1 person likes this
@mrscallands22 (2852)
• United States
21 Feb 12
I can agree with that dependent upon the situation.
Thanks for sharing your views!!
@craziestqueenever (1819)
• Philippines
21 Feb 12
I am an avid listener. It never came into my mind to talk more about myself. The more I talk, The more I commit mistakes. When I talk I know that I can hurt others it's because I can't control my thoughts.
1 person likes this
@mrscallands22 (2852)
• United States
3 Apr 12
Well, I can agree that that is something within myself I need to work as well. I try to be considerate of other people's feelings and thoughts if they are relevant. Understanding (in most people's eyes) is something that we are all born with. I beg to differ. I feel that understanding is more of an acquired attribute similar to patience, but it is something that everyone doesn't acquire. If you look at it that way, then maybe you can focus on acquiring this attribute through practice. Practice makes perfect. =)
Thanks for sharing your views!!
