Happiness - how to have it

 

• Happy people put effort into building solid relationships and they enjoy spending time with loved ones
• Happy people do not deal with difficult situations alone; they share their problems with others
• Happy people don’t pay attention to how others live
• Afternoon naps can boost cognitive performance and make your output consistent throughout the day
• When your brain is naturally unique, there is no point in comparing yourself to others
• Listening to music while working is an investment in productivity
• Happiness isn’t necessarily about how much we have but about how much we appreciate what little we have
• What you focus on grows into who you are; where your mind goes, your emotions flows
• Your sense of self-worth, joy and belonging are all enhanced by having a clear sense of purpose

Active Listening

 

Five Steps to Active Listening

1. Stop multitasking – We’re all basically programmed to glance at our phones when bored. When the conversation counts, put the phone away. Taking notes is an exception to the multitasking rule. That’s actually a plus. If you use a notes app on your phone, let them know that’s what you’re doing.
2. Listen with your eyes – A lot of communication is non-verbal. A person’s posture, hands, and facial expressions all complement the story they tell. Besides, nothing says “I’m listening” like eye contact.
3. Engage with questions – Great listeners interrupt. Yep, you heard that right. The right questions help the speaker unlock their topic. They move the dialogue along and open new avenues to explore. Just don’t hijack the conversation to talk about yourself.
4. Encourage non-verbally – Whether or not you're paying attention, the speaker is watching you. Are you nodding your head or fidgeting with your stuff? Are you leaning into the conversation or shifting back with your arms crossed? Just as you are aware of their body language, be cognizant of your own.
5. Paraphrase and clarify – When the other person has finished sharing, confirm you heard them correctly. Summarize what you heard to make sure you got it right. It can also help clarify the next step. A client or coworker may have shared a challenge because they need your help. A spouse may have shared a problem because they need your sympathy. Even if you nailed everything up to now, you can still fail by misreading their intentions.

Almost 2,000 years ago, Epictetus advised, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” In today’s hectic business environment, we’d be well-served to take heed.

One question to ponder in your thinking time: How can I be more present for the conversations that count?