It can be hard to listen to a speaker whose presentation is lifeless or whose voice lulls you to sleep or even to a perfectly competent speaker presenting a boring topic. When something (or someone) seems overwhelmingly dull, we often wind up daydreaming about more interesting things like weekend plans, an intriguing new stranger, or postgraduation plans. Nonetheless, boring information may still be important enough to warrant your attention.

On the flip side, your own overexcitement can distract you from listening effectively, even if the speaker or topic is essentially engaging. If you’re consumed by plans for an upcoming vacation, for instance, you may have difficulty listening to a great class lecture.

You can still improve your listening skills in situations where you’re experiencing boredom or overexcitement. First, become more conscious about the situation. Think about how you would deliver the information being discussed and how you would restructure it or give examples. As you do this, you may find yourself listening more attentively. Second, avoid daydreaming by taking notes. Third, relate information to your own life. To illustrate, if you’re sick of listening to a friend complain for the hundredth time about her problems with her mother, imagine how you’d feel in the same situation. Your interest in your friend’s problem may perk up.