Monday Wake Up Call

Monday Wake Up Call: Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

Understanding Is an Important Aspect of Communication Welcome to Monday! I hope you were successful in learning to listen and be present in your conversations this past week. This week, we’re going to take a look at the second skill involved in becoming a better listener: Understanding. Understanding what the person is saying is the point in the listening process when you’re able to plan your response. Understanding takes place after you’ve received the information from the speaker and begin to process its meaning. The best way to completely and accurately understand what they’re saying is to ask questions about what you heard, and confirm that you heard what they were saying. This allows you to demonstrate active engagement with their words and helps you better understand their key points. Asking questions that start with who, what, where, why and how are a great way to get additional information: “Why do you think that?” “How were you feeling when that happened?” “What did you mean when you said…?” “What was it that...?” “How can I help?” Once you’ve asked several questions to gain additional information and clarity, you’re better able to craft your response. As you learn to ask questions about details in the conversation, you’ll see that the person you’re talking with is excited to deliver his/her message – because you’re excited to hear about it! Something to Think About The art of asking questions will help in many areas of your life. Whether you’re on a listing appointment or working with a buyer, taking the time to ask questions before presenting solutions or properties will always result in a better outcome. And when dealing with objections, you’ll be more successful in coming up with good solutions when you first take the time to ask questions. Weekly Challenge This week, practice the art of asking questions ¬– after you’ve listened to what the person is saying – in an attempt to better understand what the person is communicating. Words of Wisdom “Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.” – Unknown “The greatest gift you can give yourself is a little bit of your own attention.” – Anthony J. D’Angelo “Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” – Simone Weil “Tell me to what you pay attention and I will tell you who you are.” – Jose Ortega y Gasset “Give whatever you are doing and whoever you are with the gift of your attention.” – Jim Rohn