Photo By Orange_Beard From Flickr

There are tons of people who want to increase their listening skill. I feel to be a good listener, you need to know how not to tune out while listening.

If you don’t tune out while someone is talking, you are sure to know what the speaker is talking about. This means you will remember what the speaker said, this improves your ability to respond to the speaker which automatically increases your listening skill

So here are some ways not to tune out while listening

1. Boy, this guy is dull!

As soon as you say this, you mind will switch off. As soon as you say the word dull, you mind will start to wonder and you will never know what the speaker is talking about.

2. Criticize is good, isn’t it?

Leave your criticism until the end. Don’t start criticizing when the speaker is still speaking. Firstly, you will come across as rude. Secondly, you will lose focus of the speech because you are focused on your criticism.

3. Provoked by the speech

Again, save this until the end. If you get provoked by the speaker, then your mind will be filled with whatever emotion associated with the provoking. The result is that you will completely ignore what the speaker is saying.

4. Fake attention

This is a never-ending circle. You fake attention, you focus on faking attention, you lose focus of the speech, and therefore you have to fake attention not to appear rude.

5. Distraction toleration

Two words: ignore it.