Listen or Think: Pick One

It’s difficult to think and listen at the same time. Maybe impossible.

Listening is like observation.  It does not require thinking. In fact, thinking is what interferes with listening more than anything else. 

• Your teammate is explaining what went wrong, but you don’t hear them because you’re thinking about how you will respond.
• Your spouse is unusually quiet one evening, but you don’t notice because you’re thinking about how much is on your to-do list.
• Your boss is asking for your advice, but you don’t notice because you’re focused on what she thinks of you.
• The audience has stopped paying attention to your presentation, but you don’t notice because you’re trying to remember which slide comes next.

If you want to be a better listener, give your thought-generating mind a rest, and replace it with a question-generating, curious mind that is full of awe for the incredible human(s) in front of you.  You might be surprised what you notice.