Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood, is the most essential and difficult habit for me to master. I often pride myself on listening to people and their problems or ideas. But while reading 7 Habits I realized I did not do what was asked of me; I quickly interjected my own thoughts and advice instead of listening.

While reading the Five Poor Listening Styles (Spacing Out, Pretend Listening, Selective Listening, Word Listening, Self-Centered Listening) I realized that I am most guilty of spacing out and word listening. Often when someone is talking (usually teachers) I space out and don't hear what they say. When someone starts to tell me about their social life I automatically, without hesitation go into pretend listening.

My mom is almost constantly probing. I understand the "I'm your mom, I deserve to know about your life" hoopla crud. I agree; to a point. If she asks about a test that's fine or if she asks about my homework that's fine too. But when she starts re-asking the same questions (which I've learned it's always fun to give a different answer than the original) I get irritated pretty fast. She doesn't listen to my first answer and when she ask a different question it is either a varying form of a previous one.

Listen, or thy tongue will make thee deaf, is going to be my reply when she asks the same question as before; Hopefully by repeating that proverb, it will sink into my communication skills as well.