by Matthew Best
Have you ever thought about silence? It’s very powerful actually. This is a day and age of constant noise and activity – i.e IMs, text messaging, phones that do everything, phone calls, e-mails, social networking updates, and especially Twitter, hundreds of TV options, Internet connections everywhere, and more.
Most people are uncomfortable when there is silence – they don’t know what to do if nothing is going on. Try being in a room with just 10 people and seeing how long silence will remain. Usually what happens is that someone will cough, or get on their phone, or their phone will ring, or they will rustle paper, or chew gum, or tap fingers, or type something, or who knows what.
Why do we avoid silence? We do we become uncomfortable with silence and quietness? What do we fear? These are great questions to think about this week. You may end coming up with different answers than the next person. This week I want to challenge to be in silence and see what you learn from it. How might this work? When you feel compelled to give unsolicited advice, stop and just be silent and listen. What was the experience like?
When you are in a sales meeting and you really tell your prospect about all the great things your newest gadget can do, stop and let your prospect talk. What did you learn about your prospect that you didn’t know before? When you are in a business meeting for your organization and a question has been thrown on the table, try having everyone being quiet for a minute or two. Let your mind do it’s work before giving an answer. How were the solutions compared to earlier meetings when people came out with answers right away? What happened with the communication of the people at the meeting?
Here’s a big one – try unplugging for a day. If you can’t bring yourself to doing it for a whole day, try an hour. I’m referring to all the instant communication and news. What’s your day like? Better, worse? How much of what you missed what important? The old saying is “Silence is golden.” What is it for you?
Like what you are reading? Want more? Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter – Passport for Success. It is delivered to your e-mail box every Monday morning. Sign-up at http://somedayisland.com/newsletter.html
The EADD Blog 