To communicate effectively, you need to do more than just be a good talker. When someone says to you, “I’m all ears”, it generally means that they are giving you their undivided attention. Unfortunately in our hectic world, few of us give our undivided attention to others. We are bombarded by all kinds of distractions and we pride ourselves on being expert multi-taskers. Without realizing it, this skill may come at the price of truly being present, being able to really hear and understand what your loved one is saying to you.

How to Communicate Effectively

Give your undivided attention In order to be in the right mind frame for listening to and then sharing with your partner turn off distractions such as your cell phone, television and other electronic devices. Look your partner in the face By tuning into certain cues such as facial expression and looking into your partner’s eyes, you gain a deeper understanding of what he is feeling. Maintaining appropriate eye contact also demonstrates that you are really interested in what your partner is sharing. She will appreciate you for it. Listen for more than just the words In addition to listening to your partner’s words, pay attention to details such as body language, posture and tone of voice. The input you gain gives you a more complete picture of what your partner is thinking and feeling. Show your partner how much you care by giving the gift of your presence! Share your experiences and challenges with giving and receiving the gift of presence. Write your comments here and don’t forget to sign up for Your Love Relationship tips.