Day 6 - Listening = Opportunity!

Being an active listener can be very difficult but it is an essential skill when you’re expressing your full he(art). When we open ourselves up to really listen to our surroundings, we open the doorway to being so much more connected to the world around us. This includes listening to friends, coworkers, strangers around us, what it sounds like in our neighborhood, what your environment sounds like, and more. We can learn so much by taking a minute to not speak and jump into conversations, but to wait and truly listen; taking in what our environment or people are trying to communicate to us.

When I was 13, I was in a show where I was the alternate for a role. I had to learn the entire show by watching the rehearsal process. I didn’t get to get up there and play until the final dress rehearsal. What I learned from that experience, just having to observe and listen to others, was insurmountable. It’s been one of the best experiences for my learning process and I take that sense of absorbing and listening into every project I work on. Now you can too.

Listen

Exercises & Journal Prompts

Exercise:

Today I want you to take a day of mindful listening. As much as you can, try to only listen to the people around you. If you’re meeting up with others or going to work, let them be the focus. Ask questions, get curious about their experience, absorb what’s happening around you fully. Let the world around you speak to you and soak it all up.

Journal Prompts

  • Write down the things you discovered from being an active listener. 

  • Did you learn something new about someone by just observing them? 

  • Did you learn something about yourself by not jumping into conversations right away and giving yourself a chance to think with a clear head first?

  • Did it impact your feelings in certain situations (positively or negatively)? 

    🌎🌐

  • TODAY’S WORLD: (Extension of above exercise)

    • Call a friend. Let them talk. Listen to their he(art). 

    • Take some moments of stillness in your home and really listen to the noises that surround you. What does your home sound like? Can you hear birds? Wind? Cars? People talking?

    • Find a ted talk or instagram live and dive in. Surround yourself in the words they’re giving you. Focus only on them. We tend to multitask when we get restless… maybe close all tabs, turn off notifications and just allow whatever you’re listening in on to fully wash over you.

 

At Fit for Broadway, we create safe spaces online and in real life to learn and grow together. Fit for Broadway Online Workshops are meant to encourage connection within our community. Feel free to join our Facebook Group to share and connect with other participants. It is a great space to talk about your experience, connect with new friends, or ask questions inside the community space.

If you have technical questions, concerns, or feedback about this FFB Workshop, please contact:  jane@fitforbroadway.com

Caitlin does not directly receive questions through the FFB Online Workshop portal so please direct all Workshop related questions or concerns to  jane@fitforbroadway.com  Please refrain from sending Caitlin questions about FFB Workshop technical support on social media or within other interactions. FFB is here to support you!

 By creating an online account with Fit for Broadway, you have declared that you will not share this information or content in any form, online or otherwise. Sharing content will be traced and we monitor IP addresses to ensure online workshops are not being accessed on numerous devices. Not complying with this will result in legal action or deactivation of your account. Thank you for your integrity. 

Non-professional disclaimer: Instructor is not a licensed health professional. Any advice given is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician. 

Content Warning: This workshop content (video, written, audio) discusses sensitive subjects about self-care and strong emotions. If you need help at any time, please call 1-(800) 931-2237 for the National Eating Disorders Hotline or 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.