Change your attitude. All too often, we assume the person we are speaking with is boring, or the subject is dry or does not apply to our situation. With that attitude, we shift our attention and put the speaker in the background. Tell yourself that even if the person comes across as boring, perhaps we can pick up something from the conversation. Just a slight change in attitude will help you focus on the speaker and his message.
Judge the ideas, not the speaker or the delivery. All too often we get hung up on the speaker's grammar or his presentation, yet neither one of these things serves us well in understanding the central idea the speaker is attempting to deliver. Focus your attention on the ideas the speaker wants to impart by judging the content of his delivery. Refrain from interrupting or correcting the speaker, but rather allow him to finish and then recap what he has to say for clarification.
Stop listening for facts. If you only look for facts, you are not really listening; you are just waiting to hear what you want or think you need to hear. This means you are missing the central ideas the speaker is delivering. This is called passive listening or, as we tell our children, "selective hearing." Instead, listen for ideas and attempt to identify patterns of organization in the speaker's presentation.
Cut out excessive note taking. While taking notes is important, what is more crucial is how well you organize your note taking. Don't stick to one form of organization for note taking, but rather adjust the organization according to how the speaker delivers his message. Only take down important information so that you remain focused on the ideas the speaker seeks to impart. You don't need to record a complete story used for illustration of a point. If you are listening, you will only need to reference the story with a quick note linking it to a central idea the speaker is aiming for.
Throw the passive listening to the birds. Engage the speaker, ask questions when he pauses to summarize his words for clarification, and present your own ideas in the context of what the speaker has to say. This forces you to pay far more attention, providing you with an accurate presentation of your own ideas on the subject.
Read complicated material more often. According to Utah State University, if you consistently read material above your level of education, not only does this expand and exercise your mind, it also helps you control your focus. A healthy mind is more alert and better focused.