The power of attention.
Here is one quote, one question and one idea to contemplate.
""The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention."
- Thich Nhat Hanh
What is the simplest and most practical thing I can do today to help someone feel understood?
In a world overflowing with noise—meetings, emails, endless notifications—genuine connection can feel rare. We’re so used to multitasking that we often forget the impact of simply focusing on the person in front of us.
In my upcoming book, Understood: The Greatest Human Need and the Key to Engagement, I explore how the noise in our environments—whether external or internal—makes it harder to truly connect. In one chapter, “Noise is not proof,” I dive into how constant distractions diminish our ability to be present, making it difficult to engage meaningfully.
But here’s the thing: offering your attention doesn’t require grand gestures. You don’t need to overhaul your day or find a quiet retreat. It starts small. Make eye contact while someone is speaking, set your phone aside, or listen with the intent to understand, not just respond.
These small shifts in how we show up can have a surprising impact. When we pause the noise and focus, even for a few moments, we create space for others to feel seen and valued. And that’s where real engagement begins.
The next time you’re with someone, ask yourself: Am I fully present? You might be amazed at how much your attention matters.
Until next time,
Maria
P.S. If this has been helpful, then feel free to pass it along to someone else who might enjoy it too.
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WHAT’S COMING UP?
Next week we launch the Understood Mini-Series, a group of short videos that will share:
Why we struggle to understand others
The roots and impacts of misunderstanding
The art of understanding others
Strategies to foster understanding and advance engagement
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