People Just Want To Be Heard
What people continue to miss on a daily basis is the importance of listening to others when they speak. So many of us are inclined to express what we have to say, not really taking into consideration what others have to say. Oftentimes, we want to get in what is on our mind despite the other person trying to express themselves. It’s almost like a race of who controls the conversation first, except that no one controls it when we don’t listen well to what others have to say.
This is especially true when it comes to psychiatric patients. Many doctors are quick to dismiss what they have to say out of the sake of time. Even family members just cancel out their messages for noise, as if they are wearing noise-canceling headphones during conversations. Psychiatric patients are more fragile to begin with because of the mental illness that they are suffering from; someone speaking over them does not mix well with their emotions and thoughts.
By listening more carefully and attentively, people will appreciate your time and presence much more than if you’re just there to speak all the time. Have you ever tried just listening to someone talk, even if it means sacrificing your spotlight in the moment? It’s quite enjoyable actually when you surrender your platform and allow others to dance on it for a little while.
This is because when you listen attentively, you get to learn more about others’ thoughts, emotions and behavior. Think of it like a chess match: aggressively making moves without studying your opponent will only lead to a checkmate or at best a draw. But when you take your time to listen to the other person and understand where they’re coming from, you put yourself in a better position to connect and help them.
So don’t always be quick to control a conversation. Some of the smartest and wisest people in life are actually the best listeners; they pay attention to every small detail and only talk when necessary, not revealing too much information but just the right amount that proves to be sufficient in the conversation. If you can learn to master your listening skills, then you will be able to connect much more effectively in your daily interactions.
We need more great listeners in this world and especially in the mental health field!
Are you Ready? (This is Defeating Stigma Mindfully)
DSM (Defeating Stigma Mindfully) 