Next time you're in a conversation, notice: Are you hearing and accepting only the similarities? Choosing to hear what you're already comfortable and familiar with, rather than listening to the real message being shared?

It's time to get BOLD! on listening. Open yourself to a new world of possibilities by welcoming others' perspectives.

It's amazing how relaxing it can actually make our conversations when we listen deeply to each other. We begin accepting not only the things we agree on. It takes the pressure off; we're no longer poised to jump in with a "but!", or thinking ahead to add our own point of view, or prove our brilliance, while needing to keep it all comfortably familiar.

As one who loves to participate in *lively* conversation, this is a challenge for me, trying not to jump right in with my own 2-cents. I've learned that appreciating the differences, rather than seeking only the similarities, can be more rewarding and definitely more interesting.

Already there? Here's your next listening opportunity:

Pay attention to not only how you listen, but how you respond to the differences you find. Listening deeply while another freely shares their ideas, especially when they don't reflect your own, can be challenging and takes practice.

I had my own humbling experience with this concept during a conference I attended.

The speaker opened the floor for any comments or opinions. After listening to a few, I glanced at my watch and was instantly transported to my own day's agenda. During the last comments, which rambled on, becoming increasingly (and annoyingly) politically motivated, I quietly got up to leave. Realizing fully that I was leaving because I simply was not interested to hear any more of these radical opinions.

OK, so I blew an opportunity to be listening and accepting the differences. I decided to try harder next time.

Try to enjoy when another's opinion differs from yours. When you delight in other points of view, you learn more. Slowly you'll no longer need to be as *right*. You may even depend on the differences you start finding in your conversations to make it all more interesting. And full of possibilities.

Listening for the differences…to enjoy all you may have been missing.

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