By Karsten Jensen, MSc.

Have you ever been in the company of another human being that just seemed to be talking NON-STOP?

He or she just kept talking either about themself or about any given subject. Maybe they would ask you a question from time to time and allow you about 5 SECONDS to answer before they start talking again.

If they are really “good” they can do this for a couple of hours, possibly interrupted by drinking breaks.

Also, they might – from time to time – tell you to “let me know if I am talking too much.”

They are usually wonderful people.

When I was a kid, a wonderful lady took care of me when my parents were working. I love her with all my heart.  At age 87 and after three surgeries in two months, she can still talk for an hour straight.

There can be many reasons for non-stop talking. Those reasons, however, are beyond the scope of this article.

Your friends and family might love you even though you are talking non-stop, but if you are a trainer and carry this habit with you to the gym, it can be disastrous.

“TWO EARS, ONE MOUTH” is your cue to listen twice as much as you are talking.

Below is a condensed list of benefits to adopting the crucial skill of listening:

• Most people love when others take an interest in them. In short, when you are asking questions and then genuinely listening, your client will like you more: "He is such a nice person. He seemed so interested in me."
• By asking questions and listening, you will get A LOT MORE information about your clients' thoughts and habits that will help you to create even better programs for them. You will also learn which buttons to push to motivate them.
• By listening more, you have more time to prepare your next response when you are in a situation where you are trying to coach your client towards a goal.
• When you listen more and talk less, and thus have time to prepare your statements, it is very likely that they will be perceived way more powerfully, than if your are talking faster than you are thinking.

Most talented coaches master the skill  of listening from early on, but it can be learned.

If you want to learn more about how I deal with athletes, from beginners at 15 years to seasoned professionals in the early thirties, you can send me an email.

Be the coach that the athletes like the most, the coach that knows the most.

Start listening – today!