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The art of listening does not come easily to most and it really is that—an art. That means it must be learned, practiced, and perfected. Everybody wants to talk. And in our true nature, we all want to be the center of attention. It’s the reason we find so many people who talk way too much. They were not fortunate enough to have someone like a close friend or family member tell them to shut it. And while it may seem like you win a conversation if you get to share the most information and tell the most stories, isn’t there actually nothing more powerful than knowledge? And if you are talking, you are not acquiring knowledge, are you? So you are doing yourself a disservice by yapping. Try talking less and listening more. See what happens.
People will like you more
Next time you go to a party, make it a point to ask others questions about themselves. Try to talk as little as possible, and always redirect the conversation to the other person. I can almost promise you that when you leave, you will receive reports that people loved you, and that you were the most popular guest. But…you barely spoke, and the people love you? It’s because everyone appreciates someone who listens to them.
