How you listen to people determines how you see them and how you interract with them. Listening colors your perceptions and responses to others. How does your listening affect your relationships?

2. Many years ago, I was in the lunchroom at my day job fixing some lunch (of course).
Several of the "regulars" were in there eating and talking. Two of them, a man and a
woman, joke around and tease each other a lot. Some of it was funny. So, I used to
think.
The woman was teasing the man about the crossword puzzle in that day's paper.
Basically, implying that he wasn't smart enough to actually do it. Barbs and jabs were
traded and everyone laughed on both sides.

3. On the way home that night I was listening to Doug Firebaugh's Power Secrets to
Becoming a Recruiting Magnet. While listening, it hit me that I let the woman's barbs
color how I saw the man, as a not terribly bright, but extremely nice guy. Hmmm. So,
that made me think of the question, "How do you want to be listened to?"

4. What if I had listened to this man as an intelligent person with wit and humor? He
did do the crossword puzzle. He had wit and humor. But I listened to him as she had
portrayed him. That was very bad listening on my part.
So, it started me thinking about all the little joking and teasing that we encounter all
the time. Mostly from friends and family. (Who needs enemies when you have friends
and family?) How much of what they say colors how we listen to others and
ourselves? Too darned much I would bet.

5. It was a real eye-opener. I started to imagine what it would be like to listen to
everyone as if they had something of value to say and offer to me. After all, isn't that
the way that we want to be listened to?

6. What new relationships and partnerships are we missing out on because we let don't
take the time to REALLY listen to what people have to say? And sometimes they may
not have anything of earth-shattering value to SAY (not everyone is profound all the
time), but they have a lot of value in how they make you and others feel. And they
sure won't have anything of value for you if you aren't listening for it.

7. What would happen to your life in general if you did this? I once told my mentor that
the stuff he teaches is not networking skills, but rather LIFE SKILLS. That is what I am
talking about here too. What if you listened to your spouse this way? What about
your kids? What about your co-workers and your boss? The guy in line at the bank?
The lady at the gas pump?

8. So, now I work on listening for it more consistently. I work on putting my false and
unsubstantiated impressions in the trash and listening for the value in others.
How about you?
If you enjoyed this SlideShare and would like to read more, click on the link below for a special
report on the 5 Things You Need to Know About Goal Setting.
Thanks and have an OUTSTANDING day!
Tim Johnson
Success Maniacs
Fric@Success-Maniacs.com
http://www.Success-Maniacs.com