It’s easy to become addicted to your smartphone and completely ignore the world around you.
We all do it to some degree.
But what would our relationships be like if we put away the phone and started paying attention to people?
The Muse’s Aja Frost explores this idea.
Frost says his conversations with others were noticeably more engaging.
Whether or not they consciously noticed, however, people really seemed to respond.
My listening skills went through the roof.
As a result, people were much more engaged.
When we were discussing something light-hearted, they smiled and laughed more.
When we were talking about something serious, they were more honest and thoughtful.
I even noticed people initiating conversations with me more.
Instead of just saying, “How’s it going?”
The take-away: Putting away your phone makes people feel appreciated and respected.
Of course, this is anecdotal evidence, butstudies back up Frost’s experience.Plus, it just makes sense.
You might be worried about neglecting a text or email while you’re hanging out with someone in person.
After all, ignoring someone’s text could have a negative impact on that relationship, too.
But there are plenty of workarounds for this.
And people are generally pretty understanding if you don’t respond right away, anyway.
You might be surprised at the difference it makes.
The Shockingly Simple Change That Can Improve All of Your Relationships| The Muse
Photo byEd Yourdon.
