Listening is the easiest and hardest thing to do.

We often ignore our own bodies and minds which leads to health issues and increased stress.

Many of us are also so overwhelmed or wrapped up in our own viewpoints that we don’t listen to others. We’re often so wrapped up in our own life we don’t hear what nature is trying to tell us.

If you’re like me – a “fixer/helper” – you want to help solve other’s troubles. This is a good trait! But jumping to conclusions about how to solve something before we hear the whole story is often unhelpful. Often just listening to someone share their pain is all that is needed. When we try and fix something immediately we reinforce that pain and grieving is somehow wrong. The emotions are real, valid, and grieving is a process that just takes time.

Even business problems require listening before offering a solution. Have you ever walked into a store (or car lot) to be immediately told what the perfect car/sweater/whatever is for you? If you’re like me, you get tons of spam emails spewing the latest solution to all your business problems. The spammer has never spoken to you, likely never looked at your website, doesn’t know your financial situation, or who your target customers are. Heck, they’re likely not even a person.

Today’s challenge is to listen without judgement or offering an unsolicited solution.