When you are talking to someone on the phone and they are distracted, you know.

You do not need to be able to see them to know that they are distracted.

If they are distracted and they cannot tell you they are distracted and ask for a more convenient time to engage, then you are not a priority. Losing the information you are currently sharing will not mean anything to them and so in extension, at that moment, you do not mean much to them.

Note that I said “at that moment”, because we are all guilty of it, even with the people we love and care about. Instead of not picking the call or quickly saying we are busy and ask to call back, we believe we can multi-task. Every time we multi-task, we unwittingly undercut one of the tasks.

There is a choice, it takes training, but like in all things, we get better as we apply it consciously.

Pay attention to what or who is in front of you.

When something or someone else is screaming for your attention, prioritize and choose what or who you want to spend this time with, and then respectfully reschedule engagement with the conflicting task or person.

If you never sound distracted when you engage people. If they know you are fully present with them. It sends a signal of deep respect and they reciprocate.

– Osasu Oviawe