Focused communication

It is common nowadays to consider communication as the very essence of all we live and experience. After all, what is life but a constant exchange of ideas, feelings, emotions and facts lived through our subjective lens.

However, it is not an easy experience. People may try to explain the reason why they can’t express their feelings or plans, or how difficult is to breach the gap between generations, genders or cultures, but in summary, it is tough to communicate.

This is a list of things you can do to improve your communication as communicator, recipient or part of a community.

• Understand the message. As humans we tend to flourish our messages or use various tactics to send it to others. It is important to have a much focused communication that you apply your energy into understanding what the real message is. On the other hand, if the message comes from you, make it as clear as possible for other people.
• Recognize the context. Any message is given within a context and it is a key process to acknowledge it. For instance, if someone who loves you, reproaches you, the context will be important to avoid anger.
• Know more about the receiver or the messenger. In this way, you can give the message in the way you want others to understand it, or you can go beyond the many words used and grasp the real meaning behind it.
• Communication is easier with values on your mind. Someone once defined values as the mufflers in the road of life. Without values, you can communicate and receive information, but it won’t be enjoyable and part of you will resist to that.
• One subject at a time. Even though many people make effort to multitask, it is not that easy. If you want to clearly communicate something, it is better to focus on one thing only or related themes, instead of showering others with your words.
• Beyond words. It is obvious words are not the only thing that communicates. Your gestures and the way you look at others also impact on people. Even the time you send a message to others will relay some information about who you are. Be attentive to those invisible details.
• Check the results. After the communication process, verify if the outcome was the expected one.
• Never take the blame, always take on the responsibility. Whenever communication fails, don’t take blame, but take responsibility at least in relation to understand why things didn’t go well.
• Correct your communication process. With humility and patience, change whatever you can in relation to the communication process that did not work.
• Try again. How many times did your mom tell you to brush your teeth? Human communication is an ongoing and eternal process. Fill yourself with patience and determination, and try it again. And again.