Communication is a something we do everyday. We chit chat. We talk. We listen. All of this can occur in casual circumstances, in business settings and at times in formal settings.
Let’s consider for a minute the differences between listening and hearing. The sentences below contain both listen and hear and shows the contrast:
- I listened outside the door, but I couldn’t hear what they were saying inside. [Note that even if you listen, you don’t always hear what you are trying to hear.]
- His story was so long and boring that I stopped listening, until suddenly I heard my name. [Note that even if you are not listening, you might hear something.]
In a similar vein, communicating and talking are quite different. Talking generally requires only one person but communicating always requires at least two.
Do you have an easy time communicating? Even when a situation is “difficult”? Human nature tends to avoid conflict. But what if “conflict” is really a conversation? Could it be that we make something more difficult than it has to be?
I raise this topic after years of experiencing “difficult situations”. Because of my role volunteering to be the person involved with emergency situations, I found myself communicating with families during times of utter devastation. This was not talking – it was so much deeper and it involved at least two of us. Life and death conversations are serious, yet it was through those conversations that I learned how valuable communication is.
Lifehack has a terrific article to help us identify the seven steps to accept tough situations in life and ways to help us consider positive actions. 7 Steps to Accept Tough Situations in Life
Take a minute and let that sink in – there are tough situations in life. At work, at home, with family, with friends. There are also amazing things in life! As humans we navigate the good and the bad – we have the wherewithal to take so much in stride. We learn from our experiences. We watch, listen and reflect upon how we can be better/do it better.
Let people close to you know about things that matter to you while your healthy. This communication is a big deal.
What if all communication was possible? What if you could feel so much better after communicating about life and death issues? If you could help carve out plans for you, your loved ones, your colleagues that would let them know you cared enough about them to handle things for them as best you could, would you consider doing so?
Helping you assess where you are today and what’s important to consider moving forward is what I love to do. When you’re ready, contact us to learn more about how we work with individuals, business owners and employees via Email or online @ The Living Planner #AreYouReady #CareForPeopleCareForBusiness