I feel like no one understands me, truly I go through every day wondering if I am just speaking a different language. I feel like when I come to your office, you really give me the patience, attention, and honesty that I wish I had from my family. I know that everyone has lots going on but I feel like it’s not that hard to notice that I am struggling right now….
As a psychotherapist with 80+ clients, I get the distinct honor of witnessing others in their highs and lows. People come to therapy for a vast array of reasons, but active listening is a tool that is required for any psychotherapist. Active listening is the act of being fully attentive when others are speaking. This skill appears to be very simple, however there are variables and distractors that can pull a listener away from being fully present with someone.
This tool of awareness is also—at times—the missing piece for many performers of magic. As magicians, we create moments that exist only if onlookers participate in or engage directly. Active listening can enable magic moments to increase in depth and create meaningful connections with spectators. I first want to review some of the distractions from being an active listener, then I’ll discuss strategies to counteract those conscious and unconscious listening patterns. Hopefully, you’ll notice where these distractors take place in your communication style. By becoming more active in your listening, you’ll have an opportunity to get more impact out of your magic (and heck, maybe your life too).