- Sounds of the environment are a major listening barrier, as they can both cover the speaker's voice and distract you. For this purpose, choose a quiet environment to have a conversation -- some place such as an empty office or room. Close windows that allow the noise of busy streets to reach your ears. Also, switch off the television or the radio and even your mobile phone, if it keeps ringing. In case others in the audience are speaking, during a college lecture for example, ask them politely to stop, so that you can focus on the speaker.
- Almost everything can get your attention, making you ignore the reader. Things such as playing with your pen, gazing out of the window or having a look at your notes can usurp your attention. On such occasions, just stop everything you are doing. Drop the pen, close your notebook and look the speaker in the eyes. Though sound reaches your ears even if you don't look at its source, eye contact helps you stay focused.
- During a conversation or a speech, multiple thoughts can take attention away from the speaker. For example, you may be thinking of your date later or your semester grades or even important family problems. In this case, close your eyes for five seconds and try to clear your mind of all thoughts. According to the Center for Performance Psychology, such thoughts are "internal distractions" that have a direct impact on your ability to concentrate and -- as a result -- listen effectively.
- According to Bepko Learning Center of Indiana University, prejudging is a serious listening barrier, as you may automatically stop listening when you don't agree with a message's contents or the speaker himself. For this reason, you must listen to every message with an open mind, not necessarily accepting what the speaker says, but also not rejecting it straight away. Furthermore, if you have a problem with the speaker, forget about his identity for the time being and focus on what he says instead.
Quiet Environment
Distractions
Irrelevant Thoughts
Prejudging
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