Hello dears! I first have to apologize that I've been extremely sick this week. We've been debating about treatments, making doctors appointments, the works. It's been quite hectic and a little stressful. How glad I am to back to this space where kindness and peace exist!
Today, I'm so pleased to introduce you to Cori from Furniture Steals! Her website design took my breath away. As a future mama, it's nice to see even though her passion is interior decorating, to see that her heart lies within her children. Not to forget, the title rings true as she knows how to find a great deal. It's nice to know that there's more to her blog than pretty things, Cori has a huge heart. We're so lucky to have her share it with us today!
When I think of kindness, something I keep coming back to is….learning to listen.
And I mean really listening. Not just nodding your head but thinking of where you’re going to eat, or that the lady across the street has the most adorable boots—must ask where they are from!?
No. Truly listening is something I bet every single one of us could work on and I know we can really learn to listen.
Here are 7 ways to help improve your listening skills-- that I’ve tried to implicate into my life and still work at them every day.
- Interruption/impatience. Wait until they are done talking before you cut them off with whatever you are thinking. To truly listen, means you are thinking about what they are saying all they way until they are done speaking.
- Distraction. Make sure you aren’t watching TV, or listening to music if you are on the phone with someone. If in person- try to meet in a quiet, non-disruptive place. It’s amazing how easily we become distracted. Listening to only one voice will help to focus on what is being said.
- Body language. Keep eye contact, smile and use other facial expressions, as well as lean in when they are speaking to you. Something like 90% of communication is not what you are actually saying. Keep you body engaged so your mind can stay engaged.
- Quiet your own thoughts. Focus on the person talking and what you are hearing. It is natural that as they talk you will start to develop your own thoughts-- whether it is advice, you have a similar experience, etc. try to quiet your thoughts so you can completely immerse yourself in what they are saying.
- Try not to give advice, unless you are asked to. Simple? Not really. It seems we all have an answer for everything someone is going through. The key is to only tell your advice if that is what they are looking/asking for.
- Your presence is valuable. You, just being there may actually be more valuable than any words you want to say.
- Don’t judge. Plain and simple- no one is perfect, every one has different trials & difficulties in their lives. You’ll never understand someone unless you walk a mile in their shoes…or a dozen miles.
If you loved this post please check our her blog furnituresteals.com and make sure follow her on Pinterest and Facebook.
Who needs your sweet listening ear?
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