So much of THPL is about being active that it can dominate how we think and behave. Often it can leave us moving from one topic or activity to another and in so doing we can miss out on another important element of THPL, that is, to develop listening skills. Listening can serve so many purposes but often we are so wrapped up in what we think and what we need to do that we miss opportunities just to listen. There are many benefits of listening, not the least of which is that we can learn something when we listen. It is necessary, if we are to improve our performance that we listen to people with deep experience and practiced technique. It can indeed accelerate our learning and our performance.

There is another way to embrace listening and this involves focusing on the Life part of THPL. In this case, we are to make ourselves available to people we know, who are important to us, or who need support. In all of these cases and many others our mission is just to focus and listen. We do not have to offer advice, or solve a problem. We just have to offer a safe environment for listening. We are to stay focused, attentive and supportive. We are to offer little advice, just encourage the conversation. And then listen and listen some more. We need to resist the temptation to try to solve the “problem”. In this instance THPL is just about listening, respect and support. It goes a long, long way. When you try it you will be surprised by how powerful listening really is. Give it a try, again and again – it will be the best thing you have done in quite some time.

Loving life, while listening...