Anticipating a Holiday Family Conflict? No Sweat! Try These 3 Quick Tips! by Kelli Porcaro

Most relationship experts agree: at the heart of conflict is a breakdown of communication. And that breakdown includes a lack of listening to each other. So what does it take to be a good listener, one that listens deeply? It starts with building your self-awareness. This holiday season, challenge yourself to notice your:

• Self-talk – Are you making judgments or assumptions? Instead focus on being open-minded so that you can hear all that is being said.
• Emotions – What emotions are being triggered?
• Actions – If you could hold your reaction, and instead choose an intentional response, what would it be?

Learning to listen well requires developing your self-awareness. Imagine a family, a community, a world, where deep listening was the norm. What a wonderful world it would be!