10 Ways To Empower Your Communication Skills
The Blarney Stone is a historical stone, or actually part of the Blarney Castle in Ireland where it was believed that kissing the stone can grant you the gift of gab. Yeah, it seems strange in this day and age, but who are we to question tradition?
There is so much to know about conversation that anyone, even I, could ever realize. You can go though watching talk shows; radio programs; clubs dedicated to public speaking; ordinary conversations; certain rules still apply when it comes to interaction through words. It may sound tedious, I know, but even though it is your mouth that is doing the work, your brain works twice as hard to churn out a lot of things you know. So what better way to start learning to be an effective communicator is to know the very person closest to you: yourself?
1. What you know. Education is all about learning the basics, but to be an effective speaker is to practice what you have learned. We all have our limitations, but that does not mean we can not learn to keep up and share what we know.
2. Listening. It is just as important as asking questions. Sometimes listening to the sound of our own voice can teach us to be a little bit confident with ourselves and to say the things we believe in with conviction.
3. Humility. We all make mistakes, and sometimes we tend to slur our words, stutter, and probably mispronounce certain words even though we know what it means, but rarely use it only to impress listeners. So in a group, do not be afraid to ask if you are saying the right word properly and if they are unsure about it then make a joke out of it. I promise you it will make everyone laugh and you can get away with it as well.
4. Eye Contact. There is a lot to say when it comes to directing your attention to your audience with an eye atching gaze. It is important that you keep your focus when talking to a large group in a meeting or a gathering, even though one or two of them may be attractive.
5. Kidding around. A little bit of humor can do wonders to lift the tension, or worse boredom when making your speech, that way, you will get the attention of the majority of the crowd and they will feel that you are just as approachable, and as human to those who listen.
6. Be like the rest of them. Interaction is all about mingling with other people. You will get a lot of ideas, as well as knowing the people who make them as they are.
7. Me, Myself, and I. Admit it; there are times you sing to yourself in the shower. I know I do! Listening to the sound of your own voice while you practice your speech in front of a mirror can help correct the stress areas of your pitch. And while you are at it you can spruce up as well.
8. With a smile. A smile says it all much like eye contact. There is no point on grimacing or frowning in a meeting or a gathering, unless it is a wake. You can better express what you are saying when you smile.
9. A Role Model. There must be at least one or two people in your life you have listened to when they are at a public gathering or maybe at church. Sure they read their lines, but taking a mental note of how they emphasize what they say can help you once you take center stage.
10. Preparation. Make the best out of preparation rather than just scribbling notes in a hurried panic. Some people like to write things down on index cards, while other resort to being a little more silly as they look at their notes written on the palm of their hand (not for clammy hands, please). Just be comfortable with what you know since you enjoy your work.
These suggestions are rather amateurish in edgewise, but I have learned to empower myself when it comes to public or private speaking and it never hurts to be with people to listen how they make conversations and meetings far more enjoyable as well as educational.
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10 Ways To Start Taking Control
At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have nothing to do with one another. But many of us with ADD develop negative thinking patterns because we become frustrated by our challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even harder for us to manage those challenges and move forward.
Practicing positive thinking allows people with ADD to focus on our strengths and accomplishments, which increases happiness and motivation. This, in turn, allows us to spend more time making progress, and less time feeling down and stuck. The following tips provide practical suggestions that you can use to help you shift into more positive thinking patterns:
1. Take Good Care of Yourself. It is much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.
2. Remind Yourself of the Things You Are Grateful For. Stresses and challenges do not seem quite as bad when you are constantly reminding yourself of the things that are right in life. Taking just 60 seconds a day to stop and appreciate the good things will make a huge difference.
3. Look for the Proof Instead of Making Assumptions. A fear of not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to assume that we know what others are thinking, but our fears are usually not reality. If you have a fear that a friend or family member’s bad mood is due to something you did, or that your co workers are secretly gossiping about you when you turn your back, speak up and ask them. Do not waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof that there is something to worry about.
4. Refrain from Using Absolutes. Have you ever told a partner you are ALWAYS late! or complained to a friend You NEVER call me!? Thinking and speaking in absolutes like always and never makes the situation seem worse than it is, and programs your brain into believing that certain people are incapable of delivering.
5. Detach From Negative Thoughts. Your thoughts can not hold any power over you if you do not judge them. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, witness it, and do not follow it.
6. Squash the A.N.Ts. In his book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, Dr. Daniel Amen talks about ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts). These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, like Those people are laughing, they must be talking about me, or The boss wants to see me? It must be bad! When you notice these thoughts, realize that they are nothing more than ANTs and squash them!
7. Practice Lovin’, Touchin’ & Squeezin’ your friends and family. You do not have to be an expert to know the benefits of a good hug. Positive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even pets, is an instant pick me up. One research study on this subject had a waitress touch some of her customers on the arm as she handed them their checks. She received higher tips from these customers than from the ones she did not touch!
8. Increase Your Social Activity. By increasing social activity, you decrease loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, happy people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!
9. Volunteer for an Organization, or Help another Person. Everyone feels good after helping. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return.
10. Use Pattern Interrupts to Combat Rumination. If you find yourself ruminating, a great way to stop it is to interrupt the pattern and force yourself to do something completely different. Rumination is like hyper-focus on something negative. It is never productive, because it is not rational or solution oriented, it is just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment – go for a walk or sit outside. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or turn on some music.
When it comes to the corporate world, protocol is pretty much the religion. To know the things needed to do are the basics of productivity, but interaction and having a steady mind makes up the entire thing to true productivity. There are those who seem to work well even under pressure, but they’re uncommon ones and we are human and imperfect. To get these little things like stress under our skins won’t solve our problems. Sometimes it takes a bit of courage to admit that we are turning into workaholics than tell ourselves that we’re not doing our best.
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Get A Handle On Your Diet And Start An Exercise Regime
Well, you knew it was coming, didn
Quit Smoking For The New Year in 5 Steps
Millions of smokers all over the world decide to quit smoking at the New Year, the time we make our resolutions to be healthier for the forthcoming year. But lots break their resolution within 24 hours of making it. I know I did for several years. The first thing that is helpful is to dispel the common myth that the best way to quit smoking is cold turkey; it is not. You do not have to go it alone, there are many smoking cessation aids out there for you to try, and you just need to find one that suits you.
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When I gave up smoking in 2004 I had tried several times before, but did not have much success. I then embarked on a 5 step preparation and planning approach and it worked. If you follow my 5 steps to quitting smoking, you could have a healthier New Year.
Step One. Why Do You Want To Quit?
Being able to quit smoking is something that many smokers wish for and deciding to quit smoking is the one decision that only you can make.
The key to quitting smoking is understanding the process:-
Write down all of the reasons why you smoke, how you got into it, your understanding of what smoking does to your body and what happens when you stop.
Step Two. Prepare Yourself
Believe that you can quit.
Write down when you smoke and why? What triggers your need to smoke?
How are you going to break the habit? Make a plan to avoid the habitual routines of when and where you smoke, particularly in the first couple of weeks.
Find all of your smoking accessories and throw them away so as to avoid temptation, believe me the first few weeks are very hard and you want to avoid the temptation of just having the one.
Step Three. Plan On How You Are Going To Quit
The first and most important step that a person can take to quit smoking is to decide to stop. Being as clear as possible about why you want to quit smoking is very important to how much success you will have in quitting. Decide on a quit date and stick to it.
Set yourself milestones and plan a reward.
Step Four. Get Help and Support From Family, Friends & Your Doctor
You do not have to go it alone. Ask family, friends and work colleagues for positive encouragement.
Visit your Medical Practitioner, there are lots of smoking cessation aids out there and you just need to find the one that suits you.
Step Five. Visualize Yourself as a non smoker:-
In the office while your colleague is stood out in the pouring rain; having a candlelit dinner and not leaving the table to have a cigarette in between courses; sitting all the way through a movie without having to pop out to have a smoke.
The decision to quit smoking is one of the most positive decisions you and only you can make. In the early days, try to avoid situations where you would normally have a cigarette, for example when out with friends, having a glass of wine, meal times and when feeling stressed because these triggers could set you back on the road to becoming a smoker again.
Easing The Financial Burden Of Christmas Shopping
Although we all would prefer to not have to worry about finances when it comes to Christmas shopping the unfortunate truth is that the majority of people do not have unlimited funds to spend on Christmas presents for their friends, relatives and co-workers. As a result most of us have to set budgets for Christmas shopping and have to repay any debts which are incurred while shopping for Christmas presents. However, there are ways to ease the financial burden of Christmas shopping. Some of the most common ways to easy the financial burden include spreading out the Christmas shopping throughout the year, opening a Christmas savings account and sticking to a strict budget when it comes to purchasing Christmas presents.
If you typically wait until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping you probably understand the stress of last minute Christmas shopping all too well. Not only is it stressful to have to find appropriate gifts and purchase them, wrap them and deliver them to the recipient in a short time period but it also places a tremendous strain on the wallet especially for those who purchase a large number of gifts or for those who purchase extravagant gift for the recipients on their Christmas shopping list. The problem with this type of Christmas shopping strategy, in addition to the stress of finding great gifts, is the buyer is faced with paying for all of these gifts at one time. This can be very difficult especially for those who are already on a tight budget and may not have a great deal of money left over in their monthly budget. Without proper planning these individuals may be faced with the dilemma of either shortening their list of gift recipients or purchasing inexpensive gifts for each member on their list. However, if these same people plan to shop throughout the year they may find they are able to purchase gifts for one or two individuals on their list each month with the money that is left over in their monthly budget. This strategy of spreading out the Christmas shopping throughout the year makes the financial burden of Christmas shopping significantly less difficult.
Opening a Christmas savings account can also be very useful for the purpose of easing the financial burden of Christmas shopping. This is helpful because most Christmas savings accounts accrue interest and do not allow you to withdraw money from the account before a certain time. This allows you to gain a small amount of interest on your savings and ensures you won
Setting A Budget For Christmas Shopping
It is never too early to start thinking about setting a budget for Christmas shopping. As much as we would like to be able to purchase anything we want for our friends and relatives, it is an unfortunate reality, that many of us have to budget carefully to be able to purchase Christmas gifts for all of our friends and relatives during the holiday season. With this in mind it is very important to set a budget for Christmas shopping and to try to really stick to that budget.
Some people take an interesting approach to setting a budget for Christmas shopping by waiting until they are ready to start shopping to set the actual budget. These individuals usually do this because they are saving specifically for the purpose of Christmas shopping. Whether they open up a bank account specifically for Christmas shopping, set aside money for this purpose in an envelop each week or plan on using a percentage of their income from the month of November for Christmas shopping it is important to set a budget and determine a plan for purchasing all of your Christmas gifts without exceeding this budget.
Other people take a different approach to setting a budget for Christmas shopping by shopping throughout the year and incorporating their spending for Christmas presents into their monthly budgets. These individuals may allot a portion of their monthly income to gift giving and either purchase the gifts on a monthly basis or simply set aside the money for a Christmas shopping spree at a later date. Those who spread out the Christmas shopping by doing a little bit of shopping each month not only keep their budget in control but also eliminate a great deal of the stress which often accompanies last minute Christmas shopping.
Still others take a more interesting approach to setting a budget for Christmas shopping. Those who typically receive a financial bonus at work around Christmas time may base their budget on the amount of money they are awarded in this bonus. This strategy may work out well for some as it does not allow them to alter their normal monthly spending strategy because these bonuses are typically not considered in the regular monthly budgeting. However, unless these bonuses are guaranteed annually, there is some risk involved in this strategy. Often annual bonuses are awarded based on criteria such as the company
Getting Your Christmas Shopping Done Early
Waiting until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping can be just downright stressful. Additionally, it can make it incredibly hard to find the perfect gift for each person on your shopping list. Furthermore those who wait until the last minute to finish their Christmas shopping are often faced with the potential for a looming credit card debt for the start of the following year because they did the bulk of their Christmas shopping in December of the previous year. For all of the reasons above it makes a great deal of sense to get your Christmas shopping done early.
Those who complete their Christmas shopping early gain a great deal of benefits. First of all they do not have to deal with crowded shopping areas as hordes of other shoppers are also trying to complete their last minute Christmas shopping. Shoppers who complete their Christmas shopping early also have more time to relax and focus on other activities such as decorating, wrapping presents, baking cookies or just spending some quite time with family. Finally, those who complete their Christmas shopping early also gain financial benefits. They can take advantage of sales which occur year round if they spread out their shopping plus they do not have to worry about paying for all of their purchases at one time.
Now that you understand all the benefits of getting your Christmas Shopping done early, you may still wonder how you can achieve this goal. One way to do this is to think of Christmas shopping as a year long event. Sit down shortly after the Christmas season to make a list of each person you plan to purchase gifts for in the following Christmas season. You can also jot down a few gift ideas for each of these people as well. Creating a list at this time gives you a whole year to spend time searching for gifts for each member on your list. For example you may wish to purchase a particular CD for your sister. If it is a difficult CD to find, you have plenty of time to begin tracking down this time. If it is a CD that is easy to find, you can plan on waiting until it goes on sale and may find you are able to save quite a bit of money by doing this.
If you plan on getting your Christmas shopping done early by shopping year round for friends or relatives, you should always keep your shopping list handy. Your wallet is a good place to keep it so it is always available when you are out shopping. Not only should you always carry your list with you but you should keep it up to date. As you purchase a gift for each person on your list, cross off their name and write down the actual gift you selected if it was different from the gift idea you had written down originally. This important because it will help to prevent you from purchasing multiple gifts for those on your list because you forgot you had already purchased their gift.
While getting your Christmas shopping done early does have some distinct advantages, there are also pitfalls to this type of shopping. Those who do their shopping throughout the year are often not as budget conscious as those who shop at the last minute. This is because those who shop at the last minute understand the bills for all of their Christmas gifts will be arriving at approximately the same time. However, those who shop early often lose track of how much they are spending on Christmas gifts because the bills blend in with regular monthly expenses. To avoid this problem, those who plan to shop throughout the year should set a budget for Christmas presents. They should determine ahead of time how much they wish to spend on each person on their list and should try not to exceed this amount.
Christmas Shopping On A Budget
Although most people enjoy the spirit of giving at Christmas time, it is also a fact that Christmas shopping can be a significant financial burden for many. This is especially true for those who have a large family or a large group of friends who regularly exchange Christmas gifts. Christmas shopping can also be a financial problem for those who feel compelled to purchase expensive gifts for each person on their list. However, there are ways to deal with the financial burden which often results from Christmas shopping. One of the ways to deal with this financial problem is to set a budget beforehand. Another way to deal with the financial stress of Christmas shopping is to shop throughout the year instead of all at once. This article will discuss the importance of setting a budget for Christmas shopping as well as how Christmas shopping can become less financially taxing by spreading out the Christmas shopping throughout the year.
Those who have concerns over the amount of money they will be spending on their Christmas shopping should consider setting a budget for their Christmas shopping before they begin their shopping endeavor. In order to begin the process of setting a budget for Christmas shopping, it is important to first create a list of all the people you intend to buy Christmas presents for this holiday season. This list should include all of the close friends and family members you typically purchase gifts for as well as any co-workers or employees you normally purchase gifts for, your mail carrier or your children
Weight Loss Food
We all think of weight loss food as the really healthy items, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, a selection of foods high in fiber, a small quantity of fats, some protein and some carbohydrates. After weeks of eating the same healthy food you may start to resent your diet and start binging on the foods that made you start your diet in the first place. If you start to feel this way, stop and think about all the hard work that you have done and are about to undo.
Being on a weight loss program does not mean that you have to miss out on the treats. When you do notice a change in yourself, reward yourself with a treat. I do not mean go for a large bar of your favorite chocolate or a huge bag of candy. A little treat every now and then will not do any harm.
Chocolates should be made a luxury in your diet and not a routine. Do not indulge in too many of them. Yes, you can treat yourself to a piece or small bar of chocolate occasionally, but do not get into the habit of settling down in the evening to eat a large slab of your favorite chocolate. If you can not resist the temptation to binge, do not buy it from the grocery store. If your partner, friends or family normally buy you a box of chocolates as a gift ask them to buy you something else, for example tickets to the cinema, a new dress for when you reach your goal or even a day of pampering.
When you buy your chocolate look at the calorific value on the wrapper, some of the diet chocolate bars are very nice to eat and are low in fat, which is a bonus. Avoid the cream filled chocolates because although there is less sugar, there is still the cream in them, which is high in calories.
Perhaps, you would like to treat yourself to an alcoholic beverage maybe once or twice a week. Alcoholic beverages contain calories too. Just look at how many calories are in each of these standard measures of the most popular drinks:
Alcohol Free Wine 37
Baileys, Irish Cream 129
Champagne 96
Cider (Low Alcohol) 97
Cider (Sweet) 239
Cider (Vintage) 574
Dry White Wine 77
Dry Red Wine 83
Sherry (average) 140
Sweet Red Wine 100
Sweet White Wine 103
Beer, Bitter (Pint) 182
Lager (Can) 221
Guinness, Stout (Pint) 170
Vodka and Diet Coke 55
Whisky and Lemonade 82
It is a myth that beer is fattening. According to the BBPA, a glass of beer with a typical 4.6% alcoholic volume, has fewer calories not only than a similar measure of wine, but also milk or fruit juice. The rest of the alcoholic drinks may not be fattening by themselves but when mixed with coke, lemonade or another soft drink the calorific value rises. However, after a couple of drinks you will be in no position to watch your diet and may find yourself at the local pizza parlor or curry house indulging it a lot of the foods that you have been missing.
If your choice of drink is wine, choose the dry option. Dry white wine contains 77 calories as opposed to sweet white wine which has 103 calories per standard measure. Sweet wines naturally contain a lot of sugar. Most of this sugar has been fermented away in dry wines. Avoid fortified wines because they contain even more sugar, a standard glass of sherry has 140 calories!
Hopefully, this will keep you motivated to reach your target weight loss.
Remember, a little of what you fancy does not do your diet any harm, it is when you over indulge that you start to damage the hard work and effort that you have put in.
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5 Tips To Cooking for a Low Cholesterol Diet
Did you know that there are three main types of fat in food