If we could master the Art of Listening the World at least our own, would be totally transformed. 

Clients would get what they want it, divorces would almost be eliminated, relationships would prosper, there is no end in site to the number of benefits.

Are You up to the Challenge? 

There are three levels of listening:

Level 1 Listening: you are physically present to the conversation, however in your own mind you are preoccupied with yourself; about things you need to do, what you want to say next, how you want to control and dominate the conversation, judging the person you are listening to...etc, the consequence is that you are getting less then 10% of what the other person is saying to you.

Level 2 Listening: you are able to stop all the stuff you are doing at Level-1 plus able to get over to the person (notice that in Leve1 you are with you-in Level 2 you are with them away from you) speaking, what I mean is that you can even lean over and put yourself in their situation, like what would it be like for them right now. You will get more then 50% of what is being communicated.

Level 3 Listening: you are now beyond Level 1 & Level 2 way of listening, plus now you are able to listen from a place of nothing. What I mean is a place of no judgments no expectations-you know nothing.  Now, from this place anything is possible. 

Also, something magical happens at this level and you can only get to it from Level 3 ; you will be able to hear and feel what they are not saying and get more then 90% of what is being communicated.

A good way to start testing how good of a listener you are is to sit down with someone close to you and have them tell you how great they are for 1 minute-all you do is listen (make sure you have a timer on).  After the minute is over, you need to repeat back to them what they said word to word. Have them tell you how well you did on a scale 1-10.

To Your Success,