When someone talks to you, listen so closely that you don't let other thoughts creep in. Try to connect completely with their soul, whoever they are.
Use thyself when any man speaks unto thee, so to hearken unto him, as that in the interim thou give not way to any other thoughts; that so thou mayst (as far as is possible) seem fixed and fastened to his very soul, whosoever he be that speaks unto thee.
You have complete power to shut out all thoughts and opinions about this matter. You can also shut out all grief and sorrow from your soul. The things and events themselves have no power to force any opinion on us.
It is in thy power absolutely to exclude all manner of conceit and opinion, as concerning this matter; and by the same means, to exclude all grief and sorrow from thy soul. For as for the things and objects themselves, they of themselves have no such power, whereby to beget and force upon us any opinion at all.