UltraPing Blog

Buying and selling property is not as easy as you may think. There are many things that you have to consider when purchasing a home, or when putting a home up for sale. That is why there are real estate professionals out there armed with the skills and knowledge needed to make this process easier. Read below to see how a real estate agent can help you in your real estate transaction.

The Benefits of a Sellers Agent

When you list your property through a real estate company, the individual with whom you list is known as the sellers agent, or listing agent. The very first thing that a listing agent has to offer a seller is a comparative market analysis, or, a CMA. A CMA compares your property to other real estate property listings, preferably ones that have sold. The goal of the agent is to compare apples to apples. In other words, they compare MLS listings (a.k.a the multiple listing service) with similar square footage, whether or not the property has a garage, the types of flooring the home has etc. In the end of this analysis, the agent provides you with a figure for which he or she feels that your property will sell.

Once you have chosen a sellers agent, you enter an agreement with them, often called an exclusive right to list agreement. This simply creates a legal relationship between your agent and yourself. Once your house is listed in the MLS listings, there is still much more your real estate professional can do for you. Real estate agents advertise property within their office and on their own personal websites. They often send out news letters, flyers, post cards and offer MLS bulletins for other realtors to see so that your property gains maximum exposure. In addition to advertisements, real estate agents also perform open houses on your property, during which potential buyers can see all that is good about your home.

The Benefits of a Buyers Agent

Many people feel that real estate agents are for sellers and sellers alone. But this is most definitely not the case. The first arena in which a buyers agent is helpful is finding the perfect home. Real estate agents have access to the MLS on a level that buyers do not. They can search specific criteria and find the perfect three- bedroom, two-bath home with a fenced in back yard and a rocking chair front porch. In addition, they can narrow real estate property listing searches by capping the minimum and maximum prices that the buyer wishes to spend. Once homes are selected for viewing, the agent then ensures that appointments are set up with the sellers of the homes to view the property.

Next there is the negotiation stage where a buyers agent comes in handy. The first part of this legal area is the writing of a contract. Real estate agents can help a buyer fully understand the ins and outs of an offer to purchase and give them a sense of exactly what they are getting into. Once a contract is created, presented, and accepted, the agent then sets up appointments on behalf of the buyer for things like the home inspection, pest inspection and appraisals. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.Buyers agents also have a sense of who is good at these things and who is not, making these decisions easier on the buyer. Then, when closing time comes, the agent is there to help the buyer warm up their signing fingers before signing all of the papers making their home ownership a reality.

About the Author: Lori Osenbaugh is a licensed Realtor® and e-Agent associated with Keller Williams - Cherry Creek, Colorado. For complete MLS access, new property alerts, and much more visit Lori’s web site & start your home search in the greater Denver area http://www.listwithcookie.myhomecards.com

Source: www.isnare.com

There are five major factors to consider when selling a home. These factors will greatly influence not only the final price you will get for the property, but also how quickly it will sell and how much grief you will suffer through the sale.

Location

Over history it’s been said the three things to look for in buying a property are (1) Location, (2) Location, and (3) Location. There are positive and negative factors to almost every location. Let’s pretend your property is right next door to a fire station. You need the kind of marketing professional that can sell the benefits of not having to worry about your new home burning down, or perhaps the savings on fire insurance. Seriously, no matter where your property may be located, there is a ready, willing, and able buyer in the marketplace. The “problems” with the location of a property can be overcome, you just need a Realtor who will work hard to do so.

Your Realtor and his/her Company

Not all Realtors are the same. We each take different approaches to the marketing of your home. These range from as basic as placing the home on the MLS system and hoping it will sell, to Realtors who actively market the home through newspaper advertising and the Internet. You will likely have a positive Real Estate experience if you pick a Realtor who meets the following criteria:

• Personality. It’s hard to work with an agent you don’t like. You won’t trust him/her, and the entire experience will be a difficult one. You have enough on your mind without having to argue and bicker with your agent. No matter how good an agent is… if you don’t like each other, then it won’t be a good experience.
• Availability. Having a full time Realtor (or a team of them) is vital to the successful sale of your home. If your Realtor isn’t available to sell your house because he/she’s “working a day job”, then how committed is that Realtor to you?
• Work Ethic. Just like any other professional in your life, you need a Realtor who is organized, professional, and hard working. Have you ever seen a lawyer show up for a case in sweat pants and a t-shirt? Or a doctor say; “I’m sorry, I can’t deliver your baby because I have a 4:00 t-off time”? How about an accountant who can’t manage his own finances? You should be able to expect the same level of professionalism from the agent you choose to represent you.

By having a professional Realtor working on your behalf, your entire experience will be more positive.

Terms

Are you flexible on possession dates? Is your property easy to show? Are you prepared to negotiate on appliances or other chattels? This flexibility makes your home much more attractive to potential buyers. For example, many out-of-town buyers won’t even consider a home if the possession is not flexible. First time home buyers often have to purchase the appliances with the home because they have to put all of their savings into the down payment. Where are they going to get $3000 to buy appliances?

Condition

Making a good first impression is important in getting a property sold. Painting the front door and trim, making sure the doorbell works, putting furniture and clothing in storage, and cleaning off counter tops and fridges are just a few of the little things that can be done to make properties more marketable. Just remember, cleanliness and pride of ownership will get you more money than used dirt.

Price

Determining a price is more than just picking a number. It involves careful analysis of the property. Many things come into account when determining a price. In fact, it is often through price where short comings in the other factors are balanced. For instance, if your home has been damaged from bad renters, is difficult to gain access to, is right next door to a “drug-den”, and is located between the city dump and the airport, then the home will have to be priced accordingly. But watch out, while the price can fix almost every short coming, it’s not always the best solution.

Having a Realtor who will be honest with you about these factors is important, and could save you several thousand dollars.

John Carle & Sharon Gregresh are Realtors with Royal LePage - ArTeam in St. Albert, AB. They pride themselves on providing more than just real estate sales and listings. Their clients benefit from a much larger spectrum or real estate services. Contact them any time at information@workingtogether.ca or through their website at www.workingtogether.ca. They can be reached by phone at (780) 458-5595

A greenhouse has the potential to provide many benefits for the average flower-lover. However, if they are not built in the appropriate location the results can be detrimental. That said, before you build a greenhouse, it is important to consider all aspects in order to ensure you receive the best results possible.

If you are thinking of building a greenhouse, but are unsure of factors which can affect the outcome, read the information below which will inform you on everything you need to know before you start building. Consider the following factors when determining where you are going to build your greenhouse:

1. Light - Everyone knows that plants need light to grow and sunlight is even more crucial for greenhouses because there are so many different types of plants and flowers requiring light. You do not want to build your greenhouse in an area which receives no sunlight at all however you do not want to build it in an area which receives too much sun either. Not enough can be harmful to the plants and flowers, yet so can too much sun. You will want to build your greenhouse in an area which receives a minimum of 6 full hours of sunlight a day. You may also want to consider planting a tree on either side of your lighthouse which will provide some shade through the day. Overhanging trees are not a good idea and may put your greenhouse in danger due to falling branches.

2. Convenience - You will want to build your greenhouse in a convenient area which can be easily accessed, but is not in an area which may be targeted by high winds. You don’t want to have to walk a mile just to get to your greenhouse because chances are you won’t maintain it as well this way. Other things to consider when building your greenhouse are access to electricity and water. These are important in the successful functioning of your greenhouse.

3. Setting - The actual setting of your greenhouse will greatly affect its overall performance. Many areas throughout the world receive high levels of rain during certain times of the year. This can be detrimental to operation of your greenhouse since too much rain can cause flooding inside. The best way to ensure this doesn’t happen is by building your greenhouse in a high level area that is a great deal higher than most of the other property.

Choosing the location of your greenhouse is the most important factor you will need to consider. Take your time and research all your options before you start building. A greenhouse is a large investment and you want to make sure the money you spend now will be worth it in the future.
Holly Masters loves to garden and takes pride in her greenhouse. She has spent much time learning proper hydroponics and serves as a contributing writer for http://www.greenhousesandgazebos.com - a site that offers information about everything from storage sheds to gazebos.

One of the biggest things that you want to pay attention to at the poker en ligne table is the pot size. Pot size will determine whether or not your hand is worth playing, and its status fluctuates frequently within any given hand. The key to winning the pot or folding wisely is controlling that pot and making it worth your bet.

If you’ve got a marginal online poker hand and there isn’t a lot of betting going on a small pot can make it worth the risk to try and buy it. Wisely checking can keep the pot smaller and make it worth your while to stay in the hand. If you can cancel the betting with a check, you can try to get help from another card as well as keep your risk-to-reward ratio a bit more manageable.

On the other hand, one of the worst mistakes you can make in online poker is to put a lot of money into the pot, only to fold. Essentially you just gave a stack of chips away and didn’t even get to see your opponents’ cards. Ouch. To avoid this, don’t build up a large pot unless you’re willing to go all in at the end of it. If you’ve got the nuts or you put your opponent on a bad hand, go for it-you’ll be building up your potential winnings while making the other guys second guess his decision to stay in with you.

(ARA) - The average American does a little too much celebrating at this time of year. Between Thanksgiving and the New Year, most of us will gain seven pounds as a result of indulging in extra helpings, snacking on holiday treats, having an extra glass of wine and exercising less.

Life Time Fitness, Inc., a Healthy Way of Life company that operates 30 multi-purpose, state-of-the-art Sports, Fitness and Recreational Centers in eight national markets — Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, Arizona, and Texas — has set the industry standard in providing consumers with the absolute finest in sports and fitness centers

“This is an especially challenging time of year for those who are trying to maintain healthy habits such as working out and eating low-fat, low-calorie foods,” says Jeff Zwiefel, vice president of the nutritional products division at Life Time Fitness. “We’re constantly urged to have another helping, enjoy a holiday treat or skip the workout to go shopping instead. No wonder nearly everyone gains weight,” he points out.

But complete deprivation is not the answer. “The holidays are meant to be enjoyed,” Zwiefel says. “At Life Time Fitness, we think it’s possible to balance healthy habits with enjoying special gatherings and traditions. We encourage balance and moderation in all areas of your life,” he says.

Here are 10 great tips, courtesy of Zwiefel, for staying fit and eating well over the holidays.

1) Drink lots of water throughout the day. It suppresses the appetite and is something everyone should do year round.

2) Snack on fruits, vegetables and high-fiber foods whenever possible. Dried fruits are healthy and a good alternative to many sweet snacks such as cookies and candy.

3) Limit alcohol consumption. Remember that alcohol contains almost as many calories per gram as fat. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or club soda while you’re at a party.

4) Enjoy the outdoors as much as possible: bundle up and take the dog for a walk, and try skating or sledding; squeeze 10-minute walks into your schedule. Any extra activity helps.

5) Health and fitness centers offer a combination of cardio and resistance-training opportunities, as well as group fitness classes and personal training, that are essential to maintaining a healthy way of life. If you’re thinking about joining a fitness center, fall is a great time to sign up.

6) Acknowledge that you’re probably going to miss some workouts during this time and plan now to work around it. Schedule different times or substitute another activity, even if it’s at home.

7) Eat a nutritious meal or snack before you attend events or parties where there is a lot of food, or use a small plate to avoid overindulging. Another good tip is to leave at a reasonable hour. In addition to helping you get enough sleep during this hectic time of year, you’ll also be removing yourself from the temptation to continue eating unnecessary calories.

For the 9 out of 10 adults who do not get the essential daily vitamins and nutrients from the food they eat, nutritional supplements should be considered. Life Time Fitness offers a full line of nutritional products, including men’s and women’s multivitamins, energy bars and shakes and weight-loss supplements.

9) Enlist the help of a family member or friend to help keep you on track with healthy habits during the holidays. Choose someone who can provide not only encouragement, but a good example as well.

10) Remember that balance, variety and moderation apply to holiday celebrations as well as to most other things in life, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip up. Keep your good intentions, spend time with family and friends and enjoy the holidays.

For more information about Life Time Fitness centers and nutritional products, please visit www.lifetimefitness.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

About the author:

Courtesy of ARA Content

Does music need to be “dumbed-down” for kids? The answer became quite clear to me and my husband as we observed how our own child responded to complex melodies and varied musical styles in the first months of her life.

When I embarked on the recording of my children’s music CD (”Wake Up & Go To Sleep”, Artsong Music) shortly after my daughter was born, it didn’t occur to me to create a happy little watered down collection of songs made just for young listeners. The songs simply evolved as the experiential narrative of a new mom.

My husband, jazz guitarist and composer Pat Kelley, arranged and produced the CD bringing his rich diverse musical experience into play and giving the CD a broad stylistic range. Our daughter Katie seemed delighted by the whole project, which took four years to complete. She even contributed song writing and vocal performances.

It was only later, when the CD was released and people began to listen, that we discovered how much parents were moved by it. We have received many thanks for creating music that is a pleasure to listen to alone and with children.

Children have a more innate ability to absorb music than most adults. At a young age they have minds that are open to everything rather than filled with influences telling them what they should and should not like. Our daughter feels joy listening to Mozart, Hawaiian music, The Beatles, or Glenn Miller. Music only requires an open mind to find enjoyment in its beauty.

The earliest experience of music is in a child’s first cry. Crying has tone and is the earliest sound that expresses emotion. For many infants, the next experience of music is the intimate songs a mother sings as she rocks and soothes her baby to sleep. Indeed this is a mother’s own sound language that is completely unique to her and her baby. These may be some of the most meaningful and bonding moments of the mother/infant relationship.

But where do you go from here? If you begin to expose babies to myriad musical styles, you can witness early responses. Even in the early weeks of life, a baby will respond to complex classical works. Our daughter at three weeks old reacted to a Rachmaninoff piano concerto, eyes searching, facial changes pronounced. Clearly these sounds had a dramatic and positive effect. After having been very active kicking and fussing, she became still, seemingly enthralled in the music.

By exposing kids to a variety of musical styles, they begin to develop their response to what moves them to sing and dance, or be calmed, and even what turns them off. Critical listening can start early. And by exposing them to varied music they will develop the ability to appreciate many different styles. Your kids are completely open and ready to absorb anything new. There is no reason to limit what they hear just because you might think they are too young to understand it. Great music does not require understanding to be enjoyed and absorbed on the most organic level.

Sometimes music helps children express what they aren’t able to articulate. In the earliest days, it is often simply the sheer joy of singing and using the voice that enables a child to begin to develop a love of music. Singing just feels good, both emotionally and physically to a child. Dancing or moving to music is a natural expression of rhythm, which is part of life. Encourage your children to sing and dance and they will be more free and expressive.

As you explore the world of children’s music, also introduce the music you like to your kids. This can be a time for both of you to explore new musical styles such as jazz, classical, bluegrass, blues, funk, and a variety of world and ethnic music. If you aren’t sure what to buy, visit your local library. Most libraries have a very good section of CDs in a broad range of styles. Ask the librarian for suggestions. Try checking out a different style CD each week. Of course you can browse the Internet and visit your favorite on-line music stores. Many sites offer downloadable music samples.

Music is at the heart of a child’s spirit. In our CD “Wake Up & Go To Sleep” we celebrate that spirit and the preciousness of childhood. We make music for fun and for interaction. Music should inspire little souls to think outside the box!

As your children develop a musical vocabulary, let them take you along for the ride.

Attend outdoor concerts where kids can dance and run around to the music. Many venues offer free concerts in the summer, in a variety of styles. Get Jammin’ with your kids. It’s a blast!

Let music fill your children’s hearts with joy, and in return it will do the same for you.

About The Author

Francie Kelley is a singer, songwriter, art dealer and mom. Her CD “Wake Up and Go to Sleep” is the winner of a prestigious 2003 Parent’s Choice Award and is available on Amazon.com and CDBaby.com. For more info about Francie and her music, visit http://www.franciekelley.com

10 Tips On Cutting Plywood Correctly

1. Avoid Cross Cutting - Plywood tends to chip the most when cut
across its width (grain). Cutting along the length of the wood
will help to reduce chipping.

2. Use the Right Blade - Special blades are manufactured for
different cutting jobs. The number of teeth, width, angle, and
rake of the blade all impact the cut. Choose a blade that best
matches your specific cutting situation.

3. Circular Saw - cut with the “best face” down.

4. Table Saw - cut with the “best face” up.

5. Score the Cut First - Run the plywood through the saw removing
only a minimal amount of wood. The next cut will leave a cleaner
cut.

6. Masking Tape - Put masking tape over the cut line to help keep the
fibers on the edge from pulling up.

7. Backing Panel - Attach a backing panel with strong double stick
tape. The backer board will take the brunt of the damage.

8. Use a Router - A router fitted with a straight bit will cut a
clean line. A pilot bit and straight edge will help provide a clean line.

9. Score with a Utility Knife - Score the cut line with a utility
knife.

10. Buy a Panel Scoring Setup - Some saws can be fitted with a
plywood panel scoring setup and are ideal if you have to cut a lot of plywood. The setup consists of a smaller blade that scores the
surface of the plywood before it reaches the cutter.

Brought To You Courtesy:
Cedar Creek Woodshop

About the Author

None

Circuit breakers and fuses

Submitted by: Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector Lic GI 0121, President of Accurate Inspections, Inc, a New Jersey home inspection company

Circuit Breakers
You should know where your circuit breakers or fuses are located. They are usually in a metal box on an outside wall near your electric meter. Be sure to label your circuit breakers and fuses so that you know which one protects which circuit in your home.

When too much electrical current flows into a circuit, fuses and circuit breakers automatically open or interrupt the circuit to help prevent damage or electrical fires by preventing electricity from flowing through it. When a fuse or circuit breaker gets activated, some of your electrical devices will stop working. Your lights will go out, for example.

Turning Your Power Back On
If you lose power in your house, but see that your neighbors still have theirs, here\’s what you can do:

Turn off the lights or appliances you were using and check the circuit breaker panel to find the tripped switch. A tripped circuit breaker may look like it\’s still on, or the handle may have moved to an intermediate position. That\’s why it\’s a good idea to label your circuits. To reset a circuit breaker switch, move it to off, then to on. If the switch is a push button, it will pop out. Push it all the way in to reset it.

If the breaker trips again when you turn on the lights or appliances you were using, you are probably overloading the circuit. When that happens, you may need to move an appliance to a different circuit by plugging it in somewhere else.

If you still have no electricity after you\’ve reset your circuit breakers, try turning off the main breaker switch and all your circuit breaker switches. Then, turn on the main breaker switch and reset each circuit breaker switch.

If the problem persists, you may need to consult with an electrician.

Blown Fuses
Be prepared to replace blown fuses. Keep extra fuses handy in the sizes you need because, unlike a circuit breaker, a fuse needs to be replaced when it gets overloaded. If it\’s dark, never use candles use a flashlight.

You can tell when a fuse is blown by looking at it. It\’ll have a melted strip in the center of its glass top or the glass will look smoky.

To replace a blown fuse, turn off the appliances and lights you were using. Turn off the main switch on the fuse box (it may be a cartridge fuse in a block that must be pulled out completely). Check the fuses to find the blown fuse. Be sure to replace the blown fuse with the proper size, or you may cause a fire. When in doubt, use 15-amp fuses. Never substitute an object, such as a coin or a paper clip, for a fuse.

If the problem persists when you turn the main switch back on, again you may need to consult with an electrician.



Buying a home in New Jersey? www.NewJerseyHomeInspection.com has a listing of home inspectors in all counties of new Jersey. New Jersey Home Inspections are performed by the author of this artical Michael Del Greco in Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic Counties.

Garage Door Hazards




Submitted by: Michael Del Greco
Accurate Inspections, Inc



Homeowners with automatic garage door openers that do not automatically reverse should repair or replace them with new openers which do reverse to prevent young children from being trapped and killed under closing garage doors.

According to reports received by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 60 children between the ages of 2 and 14 have been trapped and killed under automatic garage doors since March 1982. This is approximately 4 such deaths per year. Other children have suffered brain damage or serious injuries when the closing door contacted them, and failed to stop and reverse its direction.

CPSC urges consumers to check the condition and operation of their garage door and the opener. A properly operating garage door will be \”balanced.\” This means that the door will stay in place when stopped in any partially opened position. A severely unbalanced garage door could unexpectedly crash to the floor possibly striking someone under the open door.

To check the garage door, the garage door opener must be detached from the door while in the closed position. On most openers manufactured since 1982, a \”quick-release\” mechanism is provided which permits the opener to be detached from the door.

To avoid amputation or crushing injuries, homeowners should be careful when manually operating the door not to place hands or fingers between door sections or near pulleys, hinges, or springs. The door should not stick or bind when opened or closed. If doors are not \”balanced,\” or if they bind or stick, they should be serviced by a professional.

Once the garage door is operating properly, homeowners should check to see that the garage door opener\’s force and limit settings are adjusted according to manufacturer\’s instructions. Check the garage door operator owners manual for any instructions on testing the safety features. One quick test is to place a 2×4 on the floor of the garage in the door\’s path. If the door does not properly reverse on striking the 2×4 then the garage door opener should be disengaged until the unit is either adjusted according to the instructions in the owners manual, repaired, or replaced with a new garage door opener. A professional garage door service should be contacted if the homeowner is not comfortable with performing these tests, repairs and adjustments.

All homeowners should disconnect all garage door openers that have not been certified as meeting the requirements of the voluntary ANSI/UL standard 325-1982.The standard calls for a number of safety features not found on earlier openers, and also subjects new openers to more stringent safety tests.


CPSC cautions consumers that not all devices that open and close the garage door are necessarily safe. Some old openers are equipped with a mechanism that only stops the closing door when it strikes an object, not reversing the door in the process. Other pre-1982 openers have a device intended to reverse the closing door when it strikes an object, but for reasons related to age, installation and maintenance, these products may not be safe enough to pre-vent entrapment of a child. These openers cannot be adjusted or repaired to provide the automatic reversing feature found on later devices.

The CPSC requires that all garage door operators manufactured or imported after January 1, 1993, for sale in the United States be outfitted with an external entrapment protection system. This system can be an electric eye, a door edge sensor, or any other device that provides equivalent protection. If an electric eye is used, it should be installed at a height of 4 to 6 inches above the floor.

Consumers should inspect garage doors and operation of the door opener every 30 days to verify that the system is functioning properly. Hardware and fittings should be checked to keep the door on track at all times. Should a hazard exist, homeowners should disconnect the automatic opener from the door as specified in the owner\’s manual, and manually open and close the garage door until needed repair/ replacement is completed.

Lastly, homeowners should relocate the wall switch in the garage as high as practical above the floor in an effort to restrict children\’s use of the automatic garage door. Remote control door operating devices should be kept locked in the car and away from children. Parents should also tell their children about the potential hazard.

Information provided by Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector Lic. GI 0121, American Society of Home Inspectors Member 102273, Pesident of Accurate Inspections, Inc. A West Paterson New Jersey Home Inspection firm.

Listening is one of the most effective communication skills we can learn.

For it to be really effective we must learn to ‘actively’ listen. Normal everyday listening allows us think about what’s being said, form a response, offer a solution or advice or just be waiting for them to stop talking so we can say jump in with our own opinion or perspective.

However, listening is about more than what’s being said. What are the words being used? What is the tone of voice, what feelings are being expressed? What is the body language of the speaker?

Active listening is about listening to what the person is saying without jumping to any conclusion or interpreting what they’re saying according to your own perceptions. When we listen to someone speak, we do so at a number of levels from the superficial ‘only half listening’ to the total focus of deeper listening.

Superficial - not really there, thoughts or attention are somewhere else and the interest is low. May make the right ‘listening’ noises, nod and murmur agreement but the person isn’t really listening.

Level 1 - What does this mean to me? We hear the words but are using our own interpretation and judgement to decide what it means to me. There may be a need for more information. Someone listening at this level is likely to impose their own opinions and thoughts on the conversation.

Level 2 - Focused on the other person and not what’s going on around them. At this level the listener may be leaning forward, head to one side, making eye contact, shows they are listening. They are aware of the speaker’s feelings as well as the words being said. Keeps focus in order to fully understand. Is able to summarise and clarify what’s been said.

Level 3 - This is a much deeper level of listening. It’s about listening for what’s not being said. Using your intuition to truly understand the other person and what they’re feeling. The listener is totally focused on the other person and totally unaware of themselves, their thoughts or anything else.

How to improve your listening skills:

Adopt a listening posture, face the person, make eye contact and nod your head or make appropriate sounds or gestures to show you’re listening.

When encouraging someone to talk - don’t ask ‘closed’ questions that simply require a ‘Yes or No’ answer but ask ‘open-ended’ questions - how, what, when…?

If you catch yourself being distracted or drifting off in your own thoughts - be honest and apologise to the speaker - “Sorry, I was thinking about what you said earlier, could you repeat what you just said”. Focus your attention back on the person in front of you.

Try listening not just with your hearing but with all your other senses. What is the person really saying? Do the words match the tone and energy of the speaker? How do they feel?

Summarise what’s been said to you to show you understand.

Notice your conversations over the next few days. When are you really listening? What difference do you notice when you change the way you listen.

Copyright 2006: Clare Evans