Mindful Listening Video

How often have you had a conversation with someone only to realize afterward that you can remember very little of it? Perhaps you got distracted or caught up in your own thoughts.

As much as we try our best to listen, the truth is we're often not very good at it. In fact, research suggests we only absorb around 25 percent of what we hear. [1]

Listening mindfully can help us to overcome these barriers. When you listen mindfully, you're more aware of the distractions that cause you to lose focus. This allows you to stay present in the conversation and ultimately become better at listening.

So, let's take a look at some things you can do to become a more mindful listener.

First, be present. It's easy to allow your thoughts to wander or get distracted by noise or other people. Being a mindful listener means channeling your focus so that it's fully on the person who's speaking. Start by simplifying your surroundings ahead of your meeting. Mute your devices or, if you're in a busy office, try to go somewhere quiet where you won't be disturbed. If you still find your mind wandering, use meditation to refocus. Take two or three minutes to relax your body and mind with some deep breaths or muscle stretches and empty your mind of clutter. Now you can really focus all your energy on listening.

Next, cultivate empathy. Empathy means understanding a situation from someone else's point of view as well as the emotions they're feeling, so encourage them to expand on what they're telling you and listen to the detail of their experience. Showing empathy in this way doesn't necessarily mean you have to agree with what's being said, but it does mean acknowledging someone's opinion even if they have a different perspective than you.

Finally, listen to your own cues. When we find ourselves getting emotional or anxious, it's easy to lose focus. We stop listening and instead tend to block out ideas or perspectives particularly if we find them uncomfortable or complex. If you find yourself getting caught up in these kinds of feelings, remember to stay present. Remain calm and attentive toward the person who's talking and avoid interrupting them in any way or allowing thoughts, like what you're going to say next, distract you.

When you do all this, you'll find that you'll be better able to retain information and pay attention for longer. You'll also be far more composed and in control of the conversations you're in, and you'll soon have a reputation for being a great listener.

Discover more about mindful listening with our article.