The super successful people in life don’t have tricks, special college degrees, or magic wands; they simply know how to listen and when to speak! They use and improve the basic skills less successful people often take for granted.

The skill of listening is an aspect of life we so often overlook, entirely. Has there ever been a day when you planned to listen? I’ll put money on it that there have been plenty where you planned to speak. A safe bet, right?

We so often prepare for our day, a call, and meeting thinking only of what we are going to say. I know I do. Don’t you? When was the last time you prepared by putting yourself in a frame of mind to listen?

Listening is not a difficult art to master. In fact, it’s quite simple! All you have to do is pay it a little attention.

A prerequisite to success in selling — as it is in negotiating — is listening to what your prospects and clients have to say. The super successful people in life don’t have tricks, special college degrees, or magic wands; they simply know how to listen and when to speak! By improving your ability to listen, all of your other skills increase automatically.

Here are some suggestions for developing your listening skills:

1. Make a commitment to listen. Not just to prospects and clients, but to everyone in your life! My mantra is “I will listen, process, and then respond to my friend’s topic of conversation.”
2. Don’t interrupt. Simple wait for the other person to stop speaking. It’s that simple! And it helps in all your relationships (business and personal).
3. Ask questions if you are unsure of what they are trying to communicate. This also reinforces that you are listening.
4. Be aware of nonverbal messages — body language. The other person may be communicating with you via body language as well.

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