become a better listener

I learned a new way to listen better…part of my listening problem is that I was to busy trying to figure out how to help people when most of the time the just want to talk so now I am working on this process.
Listen to what they have to say
Acknowledge what they said
Explore options with them If they want to to come up with a resoultion.
This has worked about with my kids better and at work I will keep working on this!!!

I have been a really sad person in the past. The type of sad that just comes out of no where and you just arent quite sure why you are sad but you are. Like… shit…. I just want to feel ok but you cant. And I have had ppl in my life who could make me feel better by just being there. or just being sad with me. and I dont know what they did or what they said that would make it all ok.. but i wish I did because now… there are reasons why i get sad, I know why. And I remember what it’s like to feel like shit for no damn reason but I dont remember what a person needs to get out of that.. to feel a little better. I wish I did because I want to make him feel better like he made me feel better and I just dont know how…..

I’ve always been able to get my thoughts acrosss clearly, but when it comes to listening to others,sometimes I have problems zoning out. I want to listen to your problems and hear about you.

Any time I get off the phone with someone, I think “Did I even let them talk or act like I was interested in what they were saying???”. I tend to get carried away sometimes talking about myself or what happened that day or whatever. I want people to enjoy talking to me and not think that I only want to talk about myself!

This is something I want/need to give my attention, but if I am being honest at this stage of my life it is extra challenging. In fact most of the changes I’d like to make I wish I had made a lot sooner when the demands of motherhood didn’t, at times, overwhelm me. Most days are spent “listening” to my 2 toddlers and I find myself craving someone to “talk” to. I guess I will have to look at from a different view point, look for someone to converse “with” and spend AT LEAST as much time listening as I do talking. Truly I enjoy learning about other people, especially those who I thought I knew everything about and I learn something new because I stopped and really listened. I can get distracted by my own train of thought and I need to keep my focus in the moment.

I constantly interrupt others while they are talking. Even as I’m interrupting, I’m mentally scolding myself for doing so! I find it difficult to really listen to what someone is saying. I spend most of my “listening” time trying to think of a clever response or a good piece of advice.

I’ve noticed that I know very little about the opinions and ideas of my friends; I cannot describe what kinds of people they are. This makes me so sad. The people around me know so much about me, yet I cannot say the same for them. They deserve my time and attention!

ain’t got the time ppl…

I want to be able to become an active listener and not listen merely until it is my turn to speak. I want to learn how to become comfortabe with silence and also to become more appreciative of sound. I know this sounds poetic but I would love to listen for more than words but for feeling.

I’m really hopeless at this. When someone is talking to me… I’m trying to think of the right answer and I miss half of what they’re saying!! It’s something that I really don’t care for in myself. I really want to improve on this one. Speak to me… I’m ‘really’ listening.

I so failed at this one today. I feel pretty bad about it. It looks as though this particular goal is going to take a little more effort than the others. I WILL do better!