I wanted to share this excerpt from an article by Harvey Mackay on the importance of developing good listening skills. I think you’ll find it helpful. Here’s a link to the full article if you want to read more.
Here’s the excerpt:
“Whatever the reason, developing good listening skills is critical to success. There is a difference between hearing and listening. Pay attention! Your next job/account/paycheck may depend on it.
These statistics, from the International Listening Association website, really drive home the importance of listening. At the same time, they demonstrate how difficult listening can be:
85 percent of our learning is derived from listening.
Listeners are distracted, forgetful and preoccupied 75 percent of the time.
Most listeners only recall 50 percent of what they have heard immediately after hearing someone say it.
People spend 45 percent of their waking time listening.
Most people only remember about 20 percent of what they hear over time.
People listen at about 125 to 250 words per minute but think at about 1,000 to 3,000 words per minute.
There have been at least 35 business studies indicating listening as a top skill needed for success.”
Developing your listening skills will have a positive impact on your personal and professional life.