The Spellbook Page #9 | Better Listeners, Killing Perfectionism & Netflix

This week, we're adding more pages to our Spellbook. Here's what we'll be talking about:

🔦 Highlights

• The Spellbook Page #9 | Better Listeners, Killing …

  • 📌 Better Listeners

    • It’s not about you

    • The HEAR method

  • 📌 Consistency Over Perfectionism

    • Break Free

    • Ways to Tackle Perfectionism

• 🤳 Updates

  • Goodbye, Limin and Muna

  • Copywriter Wanted!

• ✨ Recommendations

  • IBA DARe Classes

  • +Sub, Google Chrome Extension

📌 Better Listeners

It’s not about you

There’s no such thing as a bad listener—only untrained ones. Ever had a meeting where things just didn’t go as planned? Interruptions, lost interest, and conversations that go off track?

Creatives and freelancers, the issue might be that you’re sticking too closely to a script or an ideal outcome. The key to a smooth meeting is to listen better. You don’t need to dominate the conversation. Clients want to be heard and understood—it’s about them, not about showcasing your portfolio or expertise.

The HEAR method

Remember the HEAR method to improve your listening skills:

Halt: Pause your inner thoughts and truly listen. Focus on what they’re saying without thinking about your responses. Take notes and absorb everything.

Empathy: Put yourself in their shoes. Understand their problems deeply before jumping to solutions. Think about what worries them.

Engage: Stay active in the conversation. Nod, take notes, ask clarifying questions, and follow up if something isn’t clear.

Anticipate: Be curious about what they’ll say next, without jumping to conclusions. Treat the conversation like watching a movie—anticipate, but don’t predict.

Repeat: Summarize, paraphrase, and review what’s been discussed. Make sure you’ve got everything right before you speak.

Use this process throughout your meetings, and you’ll find your conversations become more meaningful and productive.