What do Decorative Cookies have to do with listening?
Listening is both a gift and an opportunity to learn, yet many of us are unaware that it is also a skill that helps us with both our family and professional relationships. How many of us are attentive listeners?
We start to hear “LISTEN!” at an early age from our teachers and parents so that we learn rules to keep us safe and responsible. It grabs our attention from our play and teaches us in a variety of situations. Basic safety skills like crossing the road after looking both ways and being aware that water and electricity don’t mix are vital to our survival. Skills we are taught such as driving a car or playing a sport all require listening and learning skills. We have a lot to celebrate and share with each other, and communication through listening is a big part of what brings value into our lives.
I have learned so much that I never expected to just by listening and benefited from some very helpful advice as well. Networking has taught me how to be a better listener and a more professional business person. A smart person once told me that we can reach our goals in life if we talk half as much and listen twice as much.
There is a big difference between Hearing and Listening. We hear sounds like birds singing and a truck driving by and a door closing. We only remember about 25% of what we hear as most sounds are just background noise in the day to day world.
Listening is a deliberate action we take as we try to understand the sounds and words and find meaning. If we are listening with attention, we will remember much more and start to connect on a deeper level.
Have you ever really listened to a song lyric and felt the emotion along with the music? Chocolate creations catch my attention, and I listen to how and where they were created.
Decorative cookies and fancy colourful lollipops also have my attention. I could watch the dessert competitions on television for hours. When you gather with your friends after the big game and talk about the plays, you are connecting and listening and celebrating the joy of the game. When your friend or family member shares a disappointment or loss, they expect that we will listen and have empathy and maybe some advice as well.
I love the warm weather because nature has so many great sounds that I hear as I am going about my day. On a recent trip to Jamaica I was treated to a frog serenade every evening after sunset.
When I am with my friends or working with my clients, I use my listening skills to exchange ideas, and learn about their experiences, and most importantly how I can help them reach their goals.
Different ideas and experiences are a great value to me. In learning what events and tradeshows and presentations my clients are attending, I can help them choose which promotional gifts have the most value. Do they need a gift basket, a candy bag with their logo sticker, or some popcorn bags? Are they presenting to a smaller crowd and a chocolate platter would be suitable?
When my friends tell me about their travel experiences, I can decide if I might like to go there as well.
We all have a lot to share back and forth, but the question is…Are you listening? You don’t have to agree with everything you hear, but by listening you can reflect, learn and grow with an open mind.
Deborah Keeble is an award-winning entrepreneur specializes in providing edible promotional items to assist business owners with their branding. Check out her blog to read heart-warming reflections and more...
