Active Listening

Hearing is not listening, and although some may agrue, there is quite a difference.  Many of us do not simply hear something and retain it automatically, unfortunately we don't operate like that.  In order for us to actually interpret and understand something it takes active listening.  Active listening can be carried out by several things, but simply stated and more obviously said, be active.  Taking notes, repeating what was said and process what was said can greatly improve how you listen.  Active listening takes work, and causes thought.

There are always going to be distractions, whether environmental or physiological and sometimes even physcological.  However,  good active listeners learn to use participation to help reduce distractions.  For example, if you are too busy responding to questions and using movement to participate in active listening, you won't remember that your desk is wobbling.  Overall, active listening isn't something that you do with ease, but you choose to do.  Active listening helps us understand and process the information which we hear.