what efforts are you doing to be a good listener?

As what I've learn from school, to be a good listener: first , you have to listen attentively by paying attention to what the speaker is saying; second , take note of the important details or ideas; third , you have to try applying the details on your life as in if you were on the situation what will you do? most of the time i listen to my friends who are confiding on me and try to give my opinion regarding the matter. actually when i don't give them advice, what am trying to give them is just a choice to help them further analyze the situation.