How often do we settle into a conversation and not truly listen to the other person? More times than not, people sit there – “listening” – in order to say what they want to say vs. truly respond in an honest and candid manner to what was said to them.

I get it….some conversations are BS. And it’s not always easy to give 100% to all of them, especially when they’re for a “single serving” acquaintance – Fight Club anyone?

However, if we want to be heard – we have to listen first.

Listen with an open mind. Without jumping the gun with our assumptions, judgements, and thoughts on what should be.

Listen to what the person is truly asking for. Sometimes they just want you to sit silently; sometimes give an opinion at the end; sometimes give un-biased sound advice; other times just nod and offer support. The key is to listen beyond the words, and listen to the cues of how they speak with their body too.

In short, listen without being selfish. You can have your turn to speak and voice your thoughts, and they’ll in turn be heard more openly if you exercise the same.

#radiatedaily