How often have you spoken to someone and it feels as though they’re just “Oh,” “Uh-huh,” and “That’s cool”-ing their way through what you’re saying?
You’re talking.
They’re…just there.
Well, chances are you do the same thing to others as well.
But, here’s the thing to think about (because after all, everyone knows they need to develop their listening skills):
You can’t communicate with yourself, so how can you possibly expect you know how to communicate with others?
Do you talk with yourself?
Do you listen to yourself?
Probably “no” on either account. And that’s a real mistake.
We should take the time to talk with ourselves when we can. Especially when we’ve made mistakes and need to “call out” our own “bullshit.”
But here’s the other side of things:
Of all the people who talk “at” us, we should be listening to ourselves very closely. Especially when we are calling ourselves out.
We get beyond frustrated when we tell our spouse, friends, children, or coworkers something and then they act in a way that suggests they weren’t listening…
So why should we be any different?
In closing — take the time, every day if possible, to talk with yourself. Out loud is best. But, samely, take the time to ensure you are listening to yourself and being accountable to yourself!
Follow for daily philosophical meditations.
These are distillations from my coming book “YouDaimonia: the Ancient Philosophy of Human Flourishing.”