In today’s world, communication is more important than ever. We rely heavily on it for our interpersonal relationships, our business transactions, and even our own mental health. Unfortunately, it can often be difficult to open ourselves up to new forms of communication. That’s why it’s so important to find ways to become more receptive and open-minded when it comes to all forms of communication.
Be Present and Mindful
The first step in being more open and receptive is to bring your awareness into the present moment. Being mindful allows you to focus on what is happening right now with clarity and openness. When you are present in the moment you can listen actively and respond thoughtfully. This helps create a safe space for meaningful conversations that lead to better understanding between people.
Be Available
Communication often requires effort from both parties involved. If you want someone else to be open and receptive, then you have to make yourself available for them as well. Make sure that your availability is convenient for both parties; it doesn’t have to be at the same time every day or week but should make sense for everyone involved. This shows that you are willing to invest time in developing a relationship with that person which increases trust between both parties.
Be A Good Listener and Practise Proactive Listening
The most obvious way to become a better communicator is by being a good listener. Listening well is an essential skill that helps us build relationships with others, understand complex issues, and make informed decisions.
When we take the time to actively listen to what someone has said, rather than just standing there, waiting for them to finish talking, (or formulating a response in our mind while the person is talking), we are showing them respect and creating an environment where everyone feels safe, heard and open to more diverse communication. Additionally, listening carefully allows us to form meaningful connections with other people as we learn about their experiences and perspectives.
One of the best ways to start being more receptive is by simply practicing active listening. This means paying full attention when someone speaks – no multitasking or checking emails while they’re talking. As has been said 55% of communication is nonverbal and proactive listening allows you to absorb nearly all of the communicative waves, rather than simply focusing on keywords throughout a conversation of interest. You should also try not to interject too often; instead, let them speak without interruption so you can really absorb what they’re saying, verbal and non-verbal.
Finally, make sure you maintain eye contact and keep your posture open when speaking with someone; this will demonstrate that you are truly interested in what they have to say.
Practice Empathy
Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and feel what they are feeling. This can help us understand their point of view better and respond accordingly. It also gives us insight into how our words may be interpreted by others, which can help us be more mindful of how we communicate with those around us. Practicing empathy will also help cultivate a sense of compassion within you—which can go a long way towards helping you connect with people from various backgrounds and cultures who may have different values or beliefs than your own.
Be Open To Different Perspectives
Sometimes it can be difficult for us to accept that someone else may have a different opinion or perspective than ours—but this is key when it comes to having meaningful conversations with one another. By being open-minded and accepting that not everyone will share the same views or opinions as you do, you create an atmosphere where all voices can be heard without judgement or criticism. This helps foster healthy dialogue between people from all walks of life—and ultimately makes us more aware of our own biases while helping us gain valuable insight into new ideas or concepts we may not have encountered before.
The Benefits of Being Receptive
One of the most important benefits of becoming a better listener is that it helps create meaningful connections. When we take the time to really listen, we are able to understand each other better, form closer bonds, and nurture relationships that would otherwise not exist. In addition, being receptive also helps us learn new things and gain valuable insights from those around us. This can help broaden our perspectives, allowing us to become smarter and wiser in our decision-making.
Being receptive and open-minded when it comes to all forms of communication is an essential skill for anyone looking for meaningful relationships or conversations in life. Whether you are trying to connect with family members, coworkers, friends, strangers at the grocery store—or even yourself!—learning how to recognize different perspectives without judgment will help you build strong bonds with those around you while understanding yourself better too!
With practice, patience, empathy —and lots of listening —you will soon find yourself becoming a much stronger communicator in no time.
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