How good are your listening skills? While we all know what the term means, how many of us are actually listening rather than just hearing what is being said? We spend around 80% of our day engaged in some form of communication, but research has shown that we only absorb and remember somewhere between 17-25% of the things that we hear. Communication is a vital part of life, so how can we improve our listening skills so that we are absorbing more information? We thought we would take a closer look… Be an active listener Why are listening skills so important? As we grow up and begin to develop our literacy skills, there is a major focus on our reading and writing. However, listening is something that we take for granted, and we are typically not taught the importance of this essential part of communication. Listening skills are crucial to our day-to-day activities. Whether chatting with loved ones, engaging with new people, or communicating with colleagues, being able to listen and understand each other is vital effectively. Some of the benefits of enhancing how efficiently we hear include: Reducing Misunderstandings Build empathy Enhance business relationships Boost productivity How to improve your listening skills When it comes to listening, there are two forms. Passive listening is where we hear things in the background but do not give them our full attention, and active listening is where we pay full attention to what is being said. However, becoming an active listener requires effort and practice. That is why if you are looking to boost your listening skills, some top tips include: Consider eye contact Be alert Watch their body language Refrain from interruption Another top tip to improve your listening skills is to be patient. Allow the person speaking to finish their sentence and consider what they have said before trying to counteract or respond. Why SayNow Having a safe space where someone can listen to you without any agenda can be a rare occurrence. That is why we have developed a unique new app designed to provide real, human conversation in this fast-paced digital world. The SayNow app allows you to connect anonymously with others, listening to their issues and helping to be there for them. Taking a few minutes to listen to others will also see you begin to forget your own stresses and worries while also allowing you to see your own issues from a new perspective. Getting started is incredibly each, simply download the SayNow app today and sign up to start learning new listening skills. You will then be able to connect with others to practice these new skills, and as you grow on our platform, you will begin to understand and progress your ability to communicate and understand others. Ready to find your true voice and connect with others?