As the saying goes we have two ears and one mouth.

Take a moment to think about how you feel when someone talks over you, rushes you along or simply doesn’t listen to what you’ve said.

Conversely, consider the feeling of being understood…

It’s one of the biggest gifts we can give someone. Uninterrupted attentiveness and asking questions with the intent to understand. I’m convinced the world would be a happier place and our relationships would be richer if we gave each other the space to talk.

It’s not just a gift you can give someone else. Reflecting on your own feelings and thoughts is something we’d all benefit from doing more of. It can literally mean speaking out loud in a safe space, or writing in your journal. Either way, you can work through problems, learn from mistakes and re-enforce motivation by being in tune with your inner voice.