We've put together a list of 5 ways to listen better that can help you not only in your relationship but also in life.
In a time when it seems like there's more there is to be angry about, it can be easy to fall into the trap of being angry with people and other things. In order to move past our anger, we must first listen to the voices of those who have different opinions than us in an effort to understand them and why they are feeling their way through life as they do.
Listening seems like a simple enough task but oftentimes we find ourselves so absorbed in our own lives that we forget about how valuable other peoples ideas are until it's too late.
We've put together a list of 5 ways to listen better that can help you not only in your relationship but also in life.
1. Listen to other peoples ideas and opinions without judging them.
When you listen to another person with the intent to judge, you are really only listening with the intent of finding fault with what they are saying. You need to remember that everyone has different upbringings and experiences that have shaped their opinions into what they are today, therefore it is important that you know where they're coming from before you think about dismissing what they say as "wrong".
Whenever you find yourself thinking something negative about what someone else is saying, stop and ask yourself if you've ever had a similar experience that could have shaped your opinion the same way. This will help you to remember that everyone has a different perspective on life and that it's important to keep an open mind towards new ways of looking at things.
2. Listen as much as you speak.
Communication is a two-way street and when one person talks all of the time it can be hard for anyone else to get a word in edgewise. When you are speaking try to rotate the conversation so that the other person is the ones talking. This will help them feel understood and will also give you a chance to listen more intently since they'll be thinking more about what they're saying.
3. Use visual aids when you are explaining something.
Being able to explain things in a way that is easy for all of the members of your group to understand is vital when trying to build a successful relationship with other people. When you are trying to find ways to be more organized, share ideas or prove a point it can sometimes seem like no matter what you say or how hard you try they just don't understand you and what you mean, this can be frustrating.
One way you can help other people understand is by using simple visual aids when explaining something. It's easy to think that everyone will follow what you're saying once you say it but this is rarely the case. For example, if you are talking about making a list and need to create one by hand, it can be helpful to make a little picture of your list and show it to them so that they can see how things are going to fit together.
4. Don't try to fix their problems.
Sometimes it can be easy to want to fix other peoples problems or make things better for them when you hear about them, but this is not your job. Often times, people just need to know that someone is listening to them. When you make people feel heard they are more likely to trust you. Once trust is build, it is much easier for people to hear what the other person is saying.
5. Ask them about their life.
One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to try talking to other people about their own life. You might find that they have similar hardships or triumphs that you have which can be very beneficial to your relationship with them. It's nice to know where other people are coming from and why they think the way they do, being able to talk about others can help you gain a better understanding of yourself as well.