Why it is important to DEMONSTRATE that you are listening

I recently found myself feeling very uncomfortable and quite cross during a networking event.
Not usual feelings for me at these type of events, as I often find them sources of inspiration and fun, in addition to being a great way of finding new contacts and potential referrals if not immediate business. So what made me feel this way?

A brief presentation was being made by a charity, the like of which we may all be grateful for in terms of support in our lives in the future. This charity was working with sponsorship from 2 local businesses to raise funds, and took time out in an evening to attend this event, working in partnership with their sponsors. We were sitting around a large board style table, maybe 35 or more people, and the speakers were at one end of the table. During most of the time that the person from the charity was speaking, one attendee was holding a phone extended out in front of them at arms’ length in full view therefore of everyone around the table, reading messages and texting.

Whilst this person may well have been listening to all that the charity representative was saying, and did indeed clap at the end of the session, that is not what the body language was saying to me.

So, what are my top tips for building a strong and positive rapport with others by demonstrating that you are listening?

Give your attention to the person you are with.
· Be present, not elsewhere
· Give eye contact, even smile!
· Watch your body language – eg lean forward instead of slouching

Wouldn’t you want others to do the same when you are speaking?

How to motivate yourself?....

How to motivate yourself? ........

A topic that has taken up too much of my thinking time as I have been confined to the house over the last 3 weeks! Yes, that's what I've been doing - thinking about it ... thinking about it ... and thinking about it ... aaaahh!!

So why has my thinking time not lead to doing something about it?

Good question. I think I have been on the downward spiral of inertia, and now it's time to wind back up onto the upward spiral of action.

So, my action is to change my thinking:

Away with downward spiral thinking:

I’m stuck in this chair!

How many times have I heard that story on 24 hour news coverage?

That’s another client I have had to let down because I cannot get to them.

Farmville again – yawn.....

“I feel terrible asking for help all the time”.

Call to action with:

What can I create whilst sitting here? I don’t often get that sort of time.

Great new books have just arrived from Amazon. What new inspiration can I get?

What can I do for my clients whilst I have planning time?

Call and ask them, then diarise a meeting when I am back on my feet.

Write a series of blogs. Time well spent now, so that I have material prepared for when I am back out and about finding little time to write.

“Thank you so much for all your help when I really need it”.

How do you get your motivation back when it has been waning?