Time: 30 Minutes - 1 Hour

STEP 1: Turn it off. With technology attached at our hip most days, it can be hard to turn it off…yet it is critical that you do so at certain times. When you are speaking with someone, they need to get your undivided attention. Why? Here are a few reasons:

1. You can actually hear what they say and hear the inflections in their voice
2. You can look into their eyes, as well as accurately read their body language
3. They need to feel listened to and valued

STEP 2: Stop, look, and listen. When someone walks up to you, comes into your office, or asks you a question, it’s important to stop what you are doing, look them in the eyes and give them your full attention.

If you are in the middle of something where you cannot give your full attention, stop and look at them and let them know when you will be available to and ask them to come back at that time. If it is a child, you might ask them to write it down or draw a picture about it, so they won’t forget.

STEP 3: When talking to others, look them in the eyes and don’t look at your phone, computer, tablet, etc. This tells them “You are important to me and I want to hear what you are saying.”.

Your children are only young once, and their memories need to be of you looking them in the eyes, smiling and laughing…not looking at your phone, the TV or some other distraction.

STEP 4: If you are waiting for an important call, email, or text and must check your phone when it beeps, tell them that you are waiting for something and will need to respond, and then come right back to the conversation, with your phone out of sight or turned over.