LIST FOR IMPROVING LISTENING

• STOP TALKING - focusing on the speaker, not on what you have to say.

• WORK HARD AT LISTENING - Being involved in the conversation and prepare to learn something.

• BLOCK OUT COMPETING THOUGHTS - Avoid daydreaming during the lag time. Always focus on the speaker's message.

• CONTROL THE LISTENING ENVIRONMENT - Find an area where you won't be distracted by something around you.

• MAINTAIN AN OPEN MIND - Give the speaker verbal and non-verbal feedback. Provide some positive comments and ask questions politely, this will encourage the speaker. 

• PARAPHRASE THE SPEAKER'S IDEAS -  Being able to repeat the speaker's message, identifying the main points and ideas.

• LISTEN BETWEEN THE LINES - Identify what is really being said by observing the speaker's body language. 

• DISTINGUISH BETWEEN FACTS AND OPINIONS - Identify the difference between the facts and opinions of the message.

• CAPITALIZE LAG TIME - Use the lag time to identify, organize and review the message.

• USE MEMORY DEVICES - using acronyms, rhymes and links will help you remember important information.

• TAKE SELECTIVE NOTES - Writing down any important points, ideas and information. This will help you later on. You can review the important data and what you learned from the message. 

Take time to read this list. You can refer to it as you do the work (improving your listening skills). You can use this as a check list and mark the ones you have done so far.