Active-listening Quote by Susan C. Young
““Through the years, I have heard that the average person speaks at about 150-160 words per minute, but can listen at a rate of about 1,000 words per minute. What is going on during all that extra mind time? • Our minds are racing ahead and preparing for the next thing we are going to say. • We are preoccupied with other thoughts, priorities, and distractions. • Our subconscious filters are thumbing through our database of memories, judgments, experiences, perspectives, and opinions to frame how we are going to interpret what we think someone is saying.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast on communication dynamics, 2023
People often hear faster than they speak because the brain allocates time to plan responses, manage distractions, and retrieve relevant memories before interpreting incoming speech.
In simple terms: Listening is faster than speaking due to mental preparation and filtering.
Key Takeaway
Be aware of mental multitasking while listening.
Themes
communication
attention
cognition
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
advice
psychology
When to use this quote
- meetings
- classrooms
- customer service
- personal conversations
Key Concepts
cognitive load
memory retrieval
filtering
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your brain prioritize listening vs. planning?
- What strategies improve focused listening?
A Different Perspective
Mind may miss nuances when preoccupied with internal dialogue.
