According to this Time article, the human attention span has dwindled to just 8 seconds. When you combine a short attention span with the distractions of your work environment, clearing your mind to focus on a conversation seems impossible. It's not. You need a routine, method or ritual to help you shift into the Level 2 listening mode. We'll share our personal routines to inspire your creativity. We suggest that you create a routine that makes sense to you.

Ritual example #1 - The blinkers: Alex's Level 2 method is to picture black shutters sliding down next to his cheekbones. These imaginary shutters deflect noise and movement. Once the shutters are down, he has nowhere else to focus but his conversation partner.

Ritual example #2 - The raft: Nils' Level 2 ritual is to imagine getting into a raft on a river where he is sitting up front and his conversation partner in the back. The conversation partner is steering the raft. Their direction will take them where they need to go, and Nils is along for the ride. No matter where the river (the conversation) takes him, he trusts that he will end up at the right place.

Over time, building a deliberate practice of listening will get you to Level 2.

Now, it's your turn. Think of a metaphor you can use to you set yourself up to listen at Level 2.