Podcast Episode 51 — 5 Steps for Clearer Communication

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

You’re probably wondering why, as an organizing expert, I’m talking about communication. Communicating effectively (or not) can impact every aspect of your life, including your organized days. Think about it. Have you ever had a miscommunication with your spouse about who is picking up which kid — and at what time? If you have to go out of your way or postpone something else you needed to do because either of you forgot, that can impact your entire schedule, day, or evening — even your dinner plans.

If you want to become a better communicator, here are five steps you can take to improve your skills:

Step 1: Actively Listen

When you actively listen, you actually hear what the other person is saying. If you are thinking about what you are going to say next, you are not paying attention to them. Stop and listen to their words. Don’t think about your next point. Once you’ve grasped their words and meaning, take a moment to form your response so that it corresponds to what they have said.

Step 2: Be Aware of Non-Verbal Communication

Communication doesn’t just include words. Body language can be very telling. How you speak, the tone of your voice, where you are looking when someone else is speaking, and where you have positioned yourself in relation to the…