Week #27: Can You Hear Me Now?
July 1, 2007
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This Week's Topic: Can You Hear Me Now?
5 Ways to Connect with the People Who Matter Most
Dear Friend, Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to interview a very inspiring woman, Jennifer Rothschild, for an upcoming edition of Thrive Today ,
the monthly coaching program I host. At 15, Jennifer was diagnosed with
a degenerative eye condition, and by the time she was graduating high
school and ready to head off to college, she was blind. As we
began the phone interview, I was filled with anticipation of the
insights and wisdom she would share during our recording. But
anticipation quickly turned to disappointment. She was indeed sharing
great insights, but for some reason, her voice was cutting in and out.
I knew she wasn’t on a cell phone so I began to troubleshoot. I changed
phones. She changed phones. I moved the microphones around and fumbled
with my audio controls. Nothing solved the problem. It had taken three
weeks to line up our schedules for a 40-minute chat and now I’d have to
stop the interview and reschedule! After talking with our audio
engineer, we finally figured out the problem. The background noise from
my air conditioning was causing interference. The recording equipment
perceived the low roar as sound that needed to be recorded so it
competed with Jennifer’s voice, causing the in-and-out effect that
ruined the recording. Ironically, I’d not even noticed the sound of the
air conditioner. I’m so used to hearing it that it fades into the
background. It is interesting how noise that went unnoticed
prevented the most important message from being heard – and there is a
practical message in that: Sometimes in life we can become so
used to the background noise that we don’t notice how it distorts our
communication with others. People are talking, but you don’t
fully hear them. Or perhaps it’s you doing the talking and someone else
who’s multitasking, leaving you feeling unheard. In the hectic pace of
modern life, there is almost always “background noise.” It comes in
many forms:
- Multitasking by talking to someone while
simultaneously emailing, text messaging, watching television, listening
to music, or answering your cell phone at an inopportune time.
- Being too busy to slow down and look the other person in the eye.
Who
in your life needs more of your attention right now? Good relationships
are ones in which you feel fully connected. And connection begins with
good communication. The background noise of busyness steals the
opportunity to connect in a meaningful way. Whether with your children,
your spouse or significant other, or friends, this week I invite you to
turn off the background noise so that you can truly listen to the
people in your life. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 1. When someone speaks to you, stop what you are doing, look them in the eye, and listen. 2.
When you sit down to eat with someone, turn off your cell phone – or at
the very least, don’t answer it when it rings. Return the call after
the meal. 3. When you’re on the phone, stop emailing, or typing, or whatever you are doing on your computer. 4.
Institute a “One-hour disconnection period” when you arrive home – no
phone calls, no television, no email. Reconnect with your family – or
if you live alone, take time for yourself. My challenge to you this week:
Practice noise cancellation. Turn off the background noise! Journaling assignment:
What
is the persistent background noise that keeps you from connecting with
the people who matter most to you? Who do you want to do a better job
of connecting with? What are you willing to do to make a more
meaningful connection in those relationships? When will you start?
Until next time ... Warm wishes,
 P.S. Encourage your friends and family by sharing this newsletter and invite others to subscribe! Just send them to
www.valorieburton.com, where they can enter their email address on the home page. Valorie
Burton, a life coach and speaker, is the author of Listen to Your Life,
Rich Minds, Rich Rewards, What's Really Holding You Back?, and her
latest, Why Not You?. Subscribe to her FREE, inspirational e-newsletter
at www.valorieburton.com.
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Inc. Copyright (c) 2007 Valorie Burton. All rights reserved. www.valorieburton.com.
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