Advice #6

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

    Some of the greatest advice I ever received wasn’t one that knocked my socks off.  It was something that had to roost in the back of my head until I decided to try it.  It’s the kind of advise that’s worth investing all you’ve got in it because the proceeds will double your new worth.  Ready for it?

   One of the most powerful and persuasive things you can do is to listen!  Conversation is a game between two people and the biggest force working against them is confusion.  All of us know confusion abounds in our hectic lives.  But unless both parties make the effort to listen, communication is hopeless.

   When we listen to one another, we give a gift of worth and value.  But when we split our attention with other tasks, interrupt, change the subject, turn things around, or make them feel insignificant, we are communicating that we don’t value the person.

   If you have not been a good listener, here are some pointers.  Listen with senses other than vision.  Listen between the words for feelings (38% of what we interpret is based on the tone of the words).  Listen to what the nonverbals are telling you (55% of our message is based on what people see in your body language).  Deliberately set aside your agenda and point of view until they are finished.  Give them active feedback – engage with them.  Listen respect-fully by focusing your attention without interruption, and don’t let your mind race ahead to form a reply.

   Becoming a good listener is an art – it takes effort and practice.  But if you fail at this one, you won’t be a successful spouse or parent.  You instill worth and respect when you listen intently.  If you don’t listen to your family, they will seek out someone who will.  Can you guarantee that person they seek out will have the values to instill that you want them to embrace?

A Message From HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

    Some of the greatest advice I ever received wasn’t one that knocked my socks off.  It was something that had to roost in the back of my head until I decided to try it.  It’s the kind of advise that’s worth investing all you’ve got in it because the proceeds will double your new worth.  Ready for it?

   One of the most powerful and persuasive things you can do is to listen!  Conversation is a game between two people and the biggest force working against them is confusion.  All of us know confusion abounds in our hectic lives.  But unless both parties make the effort to listen, communication is hopeless.

   When we listen to one another, we give a gift of worth and value.  But when we split our attention with other tasks, interrupt, change the subject, turn things around, or make them feel insignificant, we are communicating that we don’t value the person.

   If you have not been a good listener, here are some pointers.  Listen with senses other than vision.  Listen between the words for feelings (38% of what we interpret is based on the tone of the words).  Listen to what the nonverbals are telling you (55% of our message is based on what people see in your body language).  Deliberately set aside your agenda and point of view until they are finished.  Give them active feedback – engage with them.  Listen respect-fully by focusing your attention without interruption, and don’t let your mind race ahead to form a reply.

   Becoming a good listener is an art – it takes effort and practice.  But if you fail at this one, you won’t be a successful spouse or parent.  You instill worth and respect when you listen intently.  If you don’t listen to your family, they will seek out someone who will.  Can you guarantee that person they seek out will have the values to instill that you want them to embrace?

A Message From HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry

ADVICE DAD NEVER GAVE YOU

Ralph Sorter

   Some of the greatest advice I ever received wasn’t one that knocked my socks off.  It was something that had to roost in the back of my head until I decided to try it.  It’s the kind of advise that’s worth investing all you’ve got in it because the proceeds will double your new worth.  Ready for it?

   One of the most powerful and persuasive things you can do is to listen!  Conversation is a game between two people and the biggest force working against them is confusion.  All of us know confusion abounds in our hectic lives.  But unless both parties make the effort to listen, communication is hopeless.

   When we listen to one another, we give a gift of worth and value.  But when we split our attention with other tasks, interrupt, change the subject, turn things around, or make them feel insignificant, we are communicating that we don’t value the person.

   If you have not been a good listener, here are some pointers.  Listen with senses other than vision.  Listen between the words for feelings (38% of what we interpret is based on the tone of the words).  Listen to what the nonverbals are telling you (55% of our message is based on what people see in your body language).  Deliberately set aside your agenda and point of view until they are finished.  Give them active feedback – engage with them.  Listen respect-fully by focusing your attention without interruption, and don’t let your mind race ahead to form a reply.

   Becoming a good listener is an art – it takes effort and practice.  But if you fail at this one, you won’t be a successful spouse or parent.  You instill worth and respect when you listen intently.  If you don’t listen to your family, they will seek out someone who will.  Can you guarantee that person they seek out will have the values to instill that you want them to embrace?

A Message From HOPE’S

Marriage & Family Ministry