Don't listen to a thing I say

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Most of the successful people I've known are the ones who do more listening than talking. ~ Bernard Baruch

When I was a kid, I liked to do what I wanted, when I wanted and if I wanted. I would throw tantrums and make a big fuss if I didn't want to do something. But the bottom line was if my mom or dad said I was going to do something, you better believe I was going to do itโ€”tantrum or not!

The same was true if I wanted to do something which my parents didn't want me to do.

Listening

Listening to my parents was definitely not something I wanted to do! I did not want to be instructed.

When I was growing up, we also had the "board of education." It was an item used on our backsides if we disobeyed or didn't listen. Trust me, that tool was very effective in getting me to listen. To this day, I believe in the power of a well-timed spanking. Giving a swat on the butt is the fastest way to the brain! (Not to be confused with abuse. There is a HUGE difference.)

Growing up, my parents were the last people on earth that I wanted to listen to.

When I went to high school. I didn't much want to listen to my teachers either. I always assumed I knew more than most of them anyway. In hindsight, for some of those teachers it was probably true! (I'm not saying that to be arrogant, but you know that one teacher because we all had at least one!)

Wisdom

Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk. ~ Doug Larson

It wasn't until I graduated from high school and was looking at colleges to attend, that I began to listen to those around meโ€”including my parents.

I don't want you to misunderstand me, I wasn't an especially "bad" person. I just didn't like to be controlled. I equated listening as a form of control.

When I finally realized that listening to others who were actually smarter than me might help a lot, I started to gain a certain amount of wisdom.

Listening for the sake of listening

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. ~ Stephen R. Covey


Once I started to listen, I listened a lot. I listened to everything people said to me. I didn't always heed the adviceโ€”just because I was more opened minded didn't mean I was going to let my brains fall out!

I became very good at listening, but I hardly ever responded. I carry that on to this day. I would rather listen than give a reply. This makes it difficult sometimes when I must give a reply. But I have learned a lot since I started consciously doing it.

How does this relate to Wealthy Affiliate

Everything in writing begins with language. Language begins with listening. ~ Jeanette Winterson

What is blog writing?

Yes, exactlyโ€”writing!

What does writing begin with (other than a "w")? Language.

For most of us, the first language we hear is from listening. We are unable to speak yet, so we listen.

We listen to our parents or caregivers. We listen. We take in everything. We are absorbent, like a sponge, just absorbing everything around us including language.

Later in life, if we continue to listen, we can build great businesses.

Of course, not all great businesses were built by people who listened. And this is exactly why you should not listen to a word I say!

I will leave you with this thought from Mark Twain, "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

I hope you all have a great weekend! I think my parents will come over and I will give them a good listening to!

With 2020 Vision,
Karin ๐Ÿ˜Ž

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Recent Comments

38

Two ears, one mouth...listening must be more important than talking. ๐Ÿค”
I am definitely more of a listener, in part due to my introvert nature, but also because I enjoy learning about other people, perhaps even studying them. Quirky, perhaps, but I enjoy it.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Yes. I totally agree with the two ears, one mouth thing. Listening is important. I believe sharing is, as well. But listening has taught me far more than talking has! I am a bit of an introvert myself, but working for a newspaper forced me from that!

Hope you are having a good weekend!

With 2020 Vision,
Karin ๐ŸŽ†๐ŸŽ‡๐Ÿงจ๐Ÿ˜Ž

Great post!
I think we have all gone through this stage of rebellion. Want to be our own master and control our lives and our choices without needing anyone. But the important thing is the wisdom that life brings us and listening to others is learning to live. You're right, in WA the important thing is to listen well and take action, listen well and take action ... this is how we will achieve all of our goals by learning and taking action. In order to become the best that we can be.

Ingrid

Thanks, Ingrid. I appreciate you. I love what you said about listening to others is learning to live! That is so true.

Hope you are having a great weekend!

With 2020 Vision,
Karin ๐ŸŽ†๐ŸŽ‡๐Ÿงจ๐Ÿ˜Ž

Hmm? Oh! What? I'm sorry, I wasn't listening. ๐Ÿ˜‡ Dad didn't have a board of education, but he had something similar. I didn't listen to him until I grew up at the tender young age of 35. Then, memories of life lessons flooded in, and I've cherished his every word every day since then. Good one Karin

Greg

I had a good listen to my parents today. It was good to hear their wisdom.

With 2020 Vision,
Karin ๐ŸŽ†๐ŸŽ‡๐Ÿงจ๐Ÿ˜Ž

I have an uncle who never talked much. He kept a little note pad in his pocket and many times as we went about our get-together talk, he would pull out his note pad and write.

He ended up writing a book, and told us later that's what he was doing with that note pad.

God gave us two ears and one mouth to be used accordingly.

Great post Karin! ๐Ÿ˜Ž

Thanks for sharing that story. Sometimes those are the best times to write because that is when the thoughts come.

I try to use my ears as much as possible! :)

With 2020 Vision,
Karin ๐ŸŽ†๐ŸŽ‡๐Ÿงจ๐Ÿ˜Ž

Very great post

Thanks, Dorrie. I hope you are having a great weekend.

With 2020 Vision,
Karin ๐ŸŽ†๐ŸŽ‡๐Ÿงจ๐Ÿ˜Ž

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