Can You Hear Me? Listen Up to These Tips

By Sandy Schroeder

Do you often ask, "Can you hear me" when you are calling people. If you are not getting the response you want, something may be going awry. We usually assume people hear and understand what we are saying, but that may not be true. Instead, they may be bored in a hurry, uninterested, or thinking about what they want to say. So the conversation is wasted with neither speaker nor listener really getting good results.

All of us talk nonstop in calls, emails, texts and letters, but we may need to make our words effective. If our messages actually got through quickly and correctly, the world would be a much better place. We wouldn't wonder what went wrong and why no one really hears us. 

Mixed up messages can annoy, irritate or confuse listeners and frustrate the speaker, making the next message even more muddled. Think of recent incidents you may have had. In spite of your calls, or emails, a request might have gone unanswered or a reply might have come back garbled. Or a detailed letter may have prompted a confusing reply or none at all. 

How to Listen and Connect Better 

Here are some tips to make your messages clear.

Think before you speak - Consider who you are talking to and what the goal of the message is. 

Keep your message short - Avoid unnecessary words and simply state your case. 

Make it direct - Go right to the heart of the message with a clear statement.

Consider the tone - Know who you are talking to and set the right casual or formal tone. 

Ask for the response that you want - Don't automatically assume they will know what you want. 

Choose the right medium - Decide if you should call, text, email or write, based on the recipient's habits.

Care about what you are saying - Make each message a strong clear statement that gets the job done. Too often, because we all communicate so much, we may seem careless, repetitive, demanding, inconsiderate or uninformed. 

Do the homework - Look back at your recent texts, emails, letters and calls and see what your success rate is. If you are not getting a high rate of informative positive responses and often have to try again, it may be time to slow down and refocus your approach. As you pin down the details and make the effort to be clear, keep charting your progress. If you are getting better responses, keep up the good work. If not, try again and look a little closer to put all of your messages on track. 

Let chiropractic keep you on track. Visit The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you and find out more about the personal healthcare plans that eliminate the hassle of insurance. Walk-ins are welcome. 

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Goodyear, Ariz.