“Most people can talk without listening. Very few can listen without talking.”

—Bruce Lee, Hong Kong and American martial artist, actor, philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

It’s easy to look at today’s quote and nod our heads in agreement.

I bet you can think of dozens of people in your personal and professional communities that fit this idea to a tee.

Perhaps you are evolved enough to know that when you point a finger at others there are three fingers in you palm pointing right back at you.

What makes listening to others so difficult?

What gets in the way that we neglect to give others our undivided attention? Perhaps it may have something to do with the fact that we are always talking.

Although words may not be coming from our mouth, we always seem to make our inner voices our top priority.

EXERCISE:

How often do you get annoyed when two people or more are talking at the same time?

Given that one of these people is always you, how could you pause to fully honor what others have to say?