People spend more than 45 percent of their communication time listening, according to an article by Dick Lee and Delmar Hatesohl published through the University of Missouri Extension. Though people tend to spend substantially more time listening than they do talking, reading or writing, most people don't have great listening skills, according to Lee and Hatesohl.
Decide to Pay Attention
It sounds simple, but one of the best ways to listen effectively is to decide that you want to hear what someone is saying. If you convince yourself that the subject in question is boring, useless or otherwise not worth listening to, you'll be easily distracted, according to Lee and Hatesohl. Make up your mind that you want to hear what's being said, and you'll be a much better listener.
Make Eye Contact
You'll find it easier to listen if you make regular eye contact with the speaker, according to the University of Minnesota Duluth Student Handbook. It's fine to look away occasionally to take notes or make note of a presentation point, but maintaining appropriate eye contact helps keep you actively engaged with what you're hearing.
Talk Less
The more you talk in a conversation, the less you're listening. Avoid trying to plan what you're going to say next while another person's talking if you really want to hear what he's telling you, says William F. Doverspike, PhD, in an article on the Georgia Psychological Association's website. Also take advantages of the other person's pauses as an opportunity to absorb what he's saying rather than as a cue for you to start talking.
Summarize as You Go
As you're listening, make mental summaries of what's being said. According to Lee and Hatesohl, good listeners use conversational pauses to mentally summarize the most important information. It can be helpful to repeat your summary aloud to the speaker, saying "Here's what it sounds like you're concerned about" or "It sounds like you're saying this" before repeating your summary.
Focus on the Big Picture
Don't get bogged down by quibbles you might have with individual words or details, says Doverspike. Instead, focus on the big picture. Make sure you understand the speaker's main point instead of getting sidelined by details that may not matter. Along the same lines, don't let a speaker's vocal habits or appearance distract you from what she's saying.
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