Monday Morning Match is a quick post – maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea – intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.
Some people learn by reading books. Others learn by observation techniques like watching a video or attending a class. Listening is another method utilized by many students or anyone seeking to internalize or learn a new skill or concept.
Conversation is one of my favorite ways to learn new things. It also works well for sharing ideas, teaching people and simply doing what I try to do every day; build relationships, solve problems, and have fun. Conversation is defined simply as “an informal exchange of ideas by spoken words.”
Conversations can be between family members, friends, lovers, co-workers and even strangers. Conversations can be short or can last for hours. I’m willing to guess that some of the best conversations you’ve ever been in have lasted well past midnight. Ever had a “hair in a ponytail, pajamas-wearing, curled up on the floor” conversation that might happen after a long week of work or a friend had an emotional episode occur in their life?
Have you ever had a conversation where no words were exchanged, such as with someone who is no longer with us? The funny things about those moments are we sometimes hear ourselves speaking out loud and quietly listening for our loved ones to answer back.
Other conversations seem to have the ability to pick up and start right where they left off the last time two or more people were together. Heck, I love the conversations I have every time I get together with my old college friends. It’s like the only thing that changes are the facts.
“Deep conversations with the right people are priceless.”
Sometimes we can listen in on a conversation and learn a lot about both the subject being discussed as well as the people engaged in the dialogue. Other times, it really helps if we are one of the parties in the conversation, taking an active role in the thinking, talking, listening and any other actions that might result. The words exchanged could be critical to the conversation but the tone and body language could also add to the outcome. It’s possible that sometimes the words that aren’t said by anyone in the conversation are just as important.
Become a Pro at Conversation
Who were you in a good conversation with last week? Was it on the telephone or was it face-to-face? Were you in a formal business setting or was this a casual, loosened-tie, “past last call” kind of discussion? What were the emotions that came out and how was the volume of the exchange? Is there any follow-up needed or action to be taken based on your topic or focus? Should you be sending anyone a thank-you note for their time and input?
Where will you engage in a good conversation this week? Do you have any favorite topics or questions to get other people talking and you listening? Who would you like to talk with this week?
Grab your phone now. Text, email or call someone and start a conversation or schedule something for later this week. We all need to start building relationships, solving problems, and having fun by getting involved in more conversations this week.
You know what I’m talking about?