Listening is easy, right? After all, most coursework and training is focused on writing, speaking, and presenting (how to get a message OUT) rather than being focused on listening (how to take a message IN).

So, everyone must be born a great listener, without need to learn, practice, and master listening skills.  Well, let’s consider this question:  What percentage of people in your work and home life consistently exhibit quality listening skills?   Ten percent? Twenty?

The fact is listening is not easy, and in any moment any number of circumstances can make listening especially difficult.   Think about instances where you know your listening shuts down, things that cause you to lose focus on the conversation at hand and keep from listening to the speaker right in front of you.

In the Fairfield Center’s Listening 101 course, these are called “listening blocks’ – and they happen all the time!  Here are some examples of potential listening blocks:

Disagreement, Feeling Judged, Agreement, Disinterest, Boredom, Fatigue, Interruptions, Relationship Problems, Poor Health, Time Constraints / Rushing, Having Something to Say, Offensive Comments, Shame, Distractions, Our Own Judgments, Stereotyping, Excitement, TV, Email, Phones/PDAs

Becoming more aware of our listening blocks gives us an opportunity to notice when we’re not listening, and make a correction in the moment by choosing to listen anyway.

What are your listening blocks? Don’t be shy – you’re not alone!