1. Try to ignore outside noises.2.

1. Try to ignore outside noises.
2. Put books, magazines, papers, pens, and pencils that you are not actually using someplace where they will not prove a distraction.
3. Concentrate on what the speaker is saying and try not to think of anything else. We tend to become distracted because we can think much faster than a person can speak. Extra time can be used to watch for nonverbal cues and to take notes if appropriate.
4. Make eye contact with the speaker.
5. Be prepared to restate the speaker's main ideas.
6. Be prepared to offer feedback.