Be Attentive

2 - Attentiveness

Focus on the task at hand. Or the person in front of you, for that matter. Whatever moment you are in, allow your greatest attention to rest with full alertness and generosity on the main topic. What is positioned in front of you at this time? Bring your full consciousness to it. Where does your focus need to be cast?  Is it on an issue, event, or person? Where do you need to place an attentiveness in your life?

Why is Attentiveness Important?

• It sends a message of importance to the other person.  When you focus on the person you are currently engaging with and are fully present with them, they will know that they are important and that what they say also matters. This is an opportunity to build confidence within this person and gain respect from them. They will know you care about them and see you as a trustworthy and dependable source.
• It allows you to understand what is being said or occurring.  It is important to be informed of the current situation and seek to gain full comprehension.There is no better way than to be mindful and give your attention and focus to the ongoing issue or situation. When you gain a clearer understanding of this task or informational bit, you will be better able to problem-solve or participate in further resolution or follow-through. With clarity comes peace. Insight is gained through active listening.
• It provides an example to others.  You are in the spotlight when you are positioned in a place of leadership. Even when you do not realize it, people are watching, observing, and, fortunately, or unfortunately, judging. Exemplify admirable qualities at all times in everything you do and your decisions. Lead by the example you live. When you make it a routine to live by these standards, you never need to be concerned about whether someone is watching. Be kind and generously extend your attention.
• It keeps you focused.  With so much busyness and clutter in your life, the act of being attentive aids your own mind in staying concentrated on the matter at hand. Getting side-tracked or hopping down a rabbit trail is easy as you multitask throughout your busy day. Drawing on your focused attention helps you to harness your thoughts from deviation to other tasks in the cue.
• It’s the right thing to do.  Sometimes you need to decide to do certain things in your life simply because it is right. This character trait is an example of just that. You cannot go wrong by wielding your attention. Be attentive to your life, business, family, and goals for each of them.
• You are more efficient.  Fastening your attention to the task or person at hand allows for a more efficient and streamlined information gathering. Time is managed and utilized in a more pertinent and efficacious manner. Be attentive to deadlines and obstacles. Greater focus allows for fewer distractions and unhurried attentiveness.

“Learning is a result of listening, which in turn leads to even better listening and attentiveness to the other person. In other words, to learn from the child, we must have empathy, and empathy grows as we learn.”

Alice Miller

“When we want to talk, we can instead listen and let our attentiveness to another’s need to speak be our silent statement.” Bryant H. McGill

“Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer.”

Ed Cunningham

What are your thoughts about this quality?

Who will you share this with?