Secrets Of Time Management - Who Says?
Double tasking is the secret for multiplying your use of time--according to some so-called experts. We are told to make it a habit to increase our efficiency. But it never produces the promised results.
As an example, remember the special dinner you were attempting to prepare while planning the conference agenda for tomorrow's meeting. Neither activity was a proud example of your skills or intellect. Or, how much of the food did you really taste while you were watching a favorite television program? The only time that truly exists is now--the past is gone and the future is yet to come. Two things simply cannot occupy the same space.
Most likely, the individuals receiving our "half-attention" will feel hurt and angry at what they consider is an insult. Has this ever happened to you? You go into another office to discuss a new project or give a progress report. All you get is some muttered responses because the person is busy reading and deleting emails or checking the stack of phone messages. More than likely you are not going to be eager to repeat the performance any time soon.
Truly listening to what is said takes concentration but it is worth the effort. You will never know if the speaker has a new, unique point of view unless you listen. Now is the best time to ask questions to clarify any parts that need to be explained. Certainly it is a better use of time to finish the discussion rather than discovering another meeting is necessary to fill in the information gaps.
Assuming we know another person's mind is risky--even with friends or co-workers we have known for years. Do not anticipate based on past history. What good does it serve you to live today based on your memory of yesterday? You totally miss the present moment.
Everything changes! We may have had many similar experiences together in the past and yet our interpretation of them is different. A classic example is the police report of the same accident viewed by two or more persons. The people are not lying--it is simply that each one saw it from a different viewpoint. These kinds of differences are what make our lives more interesting and challenging. How boring it would be if we all saw everything in exactly the same way!
Never forget that we communicate on unconscious levels. Body posture, eye contact and hand movements add depth to the meaning of spoken words. You gain extra information that words alone cannot convey. Observing body movements gives us clues about the person's honesty, confidence and belief in the ideas being presented.
Listening to a speaker with the concentration they deserve has another benefit. Your willingness to listen gives them courtesy and respect. That is a good start for any productive business or personal relationship.
As an example, remember the special dinner you were attempting to prepare while planning the conference agenda for tomorrow's meeting. Neither activity was a proud example of your skills or intellect. Or, how much of the food did you really taste while you were watching a favorite television program? The only time that truly exists is now--the past is gone and the future is yet to come. Two things simply cannot occupy the same space.
Most likely, the individuals receiving our "half-attention" will feel hurt and angry at what they consider is an insult. Has this ever happened to you? You go into another office to discuss a new project or give a progress report. All you get is some muttered responses because the person is busy reading and deleting emails or checking the stack of phone messages. More than likely you are not going to be eager to repeat the performance any time soon.
Truly listening to what is said takes concentration but it is worth the effort. You will never know if the speaker has a new, unique point of view unless you listen. Now is the best time to ask questions to clarify any parts that need to be explained. Certainly it is a better use of time to finish the discussion rather than discovering another meeting is necessary to fill in the information gaps.
Assuming we know another person's mind is risky--even with friends or co-workers we have known for years. Do not anticipate based on past history. What good does it serve you to live today based on your memory of yesterday? You totally miss the present moment.
Everything changes! We may have had many similar experiences together in the past and yet our interpretation of them is different. A classic example is the police report of the same accident viewed by two or more persons. The people are not lying--it is simply that each one saw it from a different viewpoint. These kinds of differences are what make our lives more interesting and challenging. How boring it would be if we all saw everything in exactly the same way!
Never forget that we communicate on unconscious levels. Body posture, eye contact and hand movements add depth to the meaning of spoken words. You gain extra information that words alone cannot convey. Observing body movements gives us clues about the person's honesty, confidence and belief in the ideas being presented.
Listening to a speaker with the concentration they deserve has another benefit. Your willingness to listen gives them courtesy and respect. That is a good start for any productive business or personal relationship.