The Art of Listening: 6 Benefits of Speaking Less and Listening More

Communication is a precious gift bestowed upon mankind, one that allows us to express our feelings, emotions, ideas, and plans using words. However, as with any gift, overuse can lead to unexpected results. In today’s world, where the noise of useless words often clouds our ability to communicate effectively, speaking and listening in a balanced way has become imperative. In this article, we discuss six benefits of speaking less and listening more to improve your communication skills.

Think Before You Speak

One of the most obvious yet underused practices in communication is thinking before you speak. Impulses to take center stage often lead us to open our mouths without considering the consequences of our words. It’s therefore crucial to take a deep breath and think before you respond, no matter how “urgent” the situation may seem.

Take your time and consider all possible options before speaking. By doing this, your response will not only be thoughtful but people will also be more inclined to listen to you. When you speak less and choose your words wisely, people will hang on to your every word.

Listen Before Jumping to Conclusions

The “need for speed” in today’s world often forces us to simplify interactions, resulting in useless conversations. Based on a few words or sentences, we often create perspectives on situations or people that are inaccurate because we did not take the time to listen.

When you listen, you not only give the other person a chance to finish their speech, but you also “borrow” their perspective. Listening means truly seeing things from their point of view. By doing this, you gain a better understanding of the situation and can offer a more thoughtful response.

Limit Yourself to What’s Important

The internet revolution created the infamous “information overload,” which is mainly due to the relevance of the information available. Every time we update our social media timelines, publish a blog post, or open our mouths to speak, we add to this noise. Sometimes, it’s important to contemplate whether what we have to say is truly important. Silence can often be golden.

Too often, talking is just an opportunity to hear our voices, whether we do it out loud or in writing. Imagine how peaceful things would be out there if we could limit ourselves only to what’s essential. By speaking less and focusing on what’s important, the quality of communication improves.

Get to Know Others Better

To understand others better, it’s essential to engage in joint activities instead of merely talking. Getting up from the couch and taking a short team jog, watching the sunset together silently, playing a game, or sharing a meal can improve socialization skills.

Apart from enjoying life’s simple pleasures, these activities have a significant secondary benefit; they help you understand people better. When we engage in joint activities, we observe the behavior and mannerisms of others, which can inform us about their personalities.

Create a Better Reality

When we speak less, we can do more. Our focus shifts from talking to doing, making the world a better place. While expressing our feelings and thoughts is essential, ‘doing’ is equally important. By refraining from talking for five minutes a day, you can accumulate 150 minutes or two and a half hours in a month. What can you accomplish with that time?

The possibilities are endless. You can go to the gym, cook for your spouse, make something in the garage, coach someone, help a neighbor, and so on. As long as the goal is to make the world a better place, doing will always win over speaking.

Write More

Although writing is a form of expression, it comes with several advantages. It holds you accountable; written words last longer than spoken words. Additionally, writing helps you clear your mind without the aid of another person. Writing in a journal or blogging, as long as you think before doing so, provides a sense of clarity.

Moreover, something interesting happens when you write; you are forced to listen to yourself. You are exposed to your own thoughts and emotions, ultimately getting to know yourself better. Through writing, you will discover who you are, gaining self-awareness and improving your communication skills.

Conclusion

Communication is an integral part of our lives, and we must use this gift wisely. By speaking less and listening more, we can improve our communication skills and ultimately make the world a better place. Remember to think before you speak, listen before jumping to conclusions, limit yourself to what’s important, engage in joint activities, do more than you speak, and write more. Through these practices, we can become better communicators and make a lasting impact on the people around us.