Showing posts with label Success. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Success. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Top Ways To Improve Your Social Skills

Improve Your Social Skills:

If you are looking for a way to improve your social skills, there are many resources available that will assist you in refining your social skills and improving the way you communicate with others.

It's not only possible to learn how to improve your social skills; it's easier than you think.

Imagine how much simpler your life would be if you could rid yourself of nagging self-doubt and have confidence knowing you can handle any social situation.

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to excel at socializing? Learning how to improve your social skills will give you the ability to know what to say in any situation and be the type of person others love to be around.

You can develop the skills needed to start a conversation with anyone you encounter, deal effectively with awkward situations, accept rejection gracefully, and win the approval and appreciation of all that you encounter.

You will be able to read the body language of others, effectively solve problems, and develop the ability to diffuse sensitive situations with seemingly little effort.

In the process of learning how to improve your social skills, your self-esteem will soar and your confidence will reach an all-time high.

Here are 6 great tips you can use today:

1. Awareness of your own interaction with other people is the first step in improving your social skills.

Learn to identify which types of situations make you uncomfortable and then modify your behavior to achieve positive results is a critical step in improving your social skills.

You can learn to become aware of behaviors in other people that prompt you to respond in negative ways and modify your own behavior to turn the situation into a positive experience.

2. You must accept responsibility for your own behavior and do not fear apologizing for errors in judgment or insensitive actions.

Asking others for honest feedback about the way you interact with others can be very helpful. Accept the negative feedback along with the positive and make changes accordingly.

3. Your non-verbal communication is equally as important as the things that you say. Positive body language is extremely important in your interactions with other people.

If your words and your actions do not match, you will have a difficult time succeeding in social situations.

4. In order to learn how to improve your social skills, you must become and great listener. You must fight the urge to respond immediately and really listen to what the other person is trying to communicate.

Offering suggestions or criticism before you are certain of the other person's intent can only lead to frustration for both parties.

5. Improving your social skills is a process and cannot be accomplished overnight. Trying to improve or change too many things at once will be counter-productive.

You will become discouraged and overwhelmed if you attempt to change your entire personality all at once. Choose one or two traits at a time and work on those over a period of time. Learn to take advantage of your personal strengths and make a positive impact on others.

6. Maximize your positive personality traits and use them in your interactions with others. Good communication and great listening skills are the most important tools you can use in improving your social skills.

You can learn how to improve your social skills by developing excellent listening skills, learning to resolve problems and conflicts, understanding body language, and accepting responsibility for your own negative behavior.

Determination and self-awareness will make your desire to improve your social skills a reality.
Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report:10 Simple Steps to Developing Communication Confidence. This report reveals the secret strategies all high achievers use to communicate with charm and impact. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at: http://www.howtotalkwithconfidence.com/report.htm

Monday, February 5, 2007

8 Easy Ways To Cope In A Hostile Work Place

Do you get stressed out at the thought of going to work every morning?

Does the thought of spending eight or more hours at work each day get you all wound up and sweaty?

Do you constantly find yourself wishing that Monday mornings were Friday evenings?

Does the mere thought of interacting with your boss or co-workers leave you feeling emotionally drained?

If these feelings have nothing to do with your ineffectiveness at work, then you are probably in a hostile work place.

What makes a work place hostile varies largely, but it’s commonly attributed to having a bad boss (this could be an understatement), co-workers who drive you up the wall, and an ineffective Human Resource Department, among other things.

Here are 8 survival tips to help you cope in a hostile work place until the tide turns in your favor:

1. Work on yourself.

As irritating as the situation may be, learn to contain yourself. Develop an internal coping mechanism like counting to ten before you respond to an annoying or insensitive comment.

Draw strength from a higher power. Pray, meditate and do whatever it takes to get yourself together, calm and composed.

2. Keep reminding yourself why you are at the job.

Why are you working in that company? Are you there for the money, experience or for personal fulfillment? What are you hoping to achieve? Whatever the reason, let the objective you want to achieve give you the strength to survive each day.

3. Don’t mix business with pleasure.

If you can help it, draw the line between your private life and your life at work. Sometimes unnecessary socialization at work provides the ammunition that makes your work environment even more unbearable.
A little gossip at the copy machine with a co-worker can be the beginning of a nightmare.

4. Be courteous and professional.

Conducting yourself in a professional manner seals the lips of those who want to capitalize on your unprofessional behavior to make your life a misery. Before you respond to annoying e-mails, or speak to your boss or co-worker about frustrating issues, calm down, take a deep breath and avoid the temptation to escalate the matter.

5. Learn what not to do.

Since life is always about making progress and getting better, consider your work environment as the best teaching arena to learn something about yourself, learn what not to do, learn what not to say and also who not to trust in future.

If you are planning to start your own business or be in management, consider this a good place to learn about how not to treat employees or how to be a good boss!

6. Look within yourself and be creative.

It's amazing how a hostile work place can bring out the best in you. What you are experiencing may force you to look deep within yourself to explore your life from a new perspective. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you learn about yourself and this may prompt you to expand your range in terms of what you want to do in life.

When you have reached the end of your rope, start focusing on what matters most and expect better things for yourself.

7. Stand up for yourself.

Do not keep silent about the hostility. Speak up for yourself, defend your actions when necessary, talk to someone who might listen to you, record your complaints with Human Resources and do whatever is necessary to set the record straight. Even if the results of your action are not what you expect, it really feels good to know that you are standing up for yourself and letting your voice be heard.

8. Jump ship!

Stay on the look out for better opportunities elsewhere so that when your job situation gets so bad and unbearable, and after you have exhausted all options, you can get the courage to be good to yourself and jump ship!

By: Caroline Jalango

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Caroline coaches women, provides strategies and solutions, motivates and helps women who want to do better for themselves, create and live, meaningful, happier, productive, improved and purpose driven lives. Visit www.dobetterforyourself.com and SIGN UP for your FREE "do better for yourself" mini e-course designed to help you develop and maintain the momentum to do better for yourself and get the results you want!

Thursday, February 1, 2007

5 Ways To Become More of an Optimist

From Elizabeth Scott

Optimism is measured by your explanatory style, or how you define events. If you can learn to define positive events as being a) because of something you did, b) a sign of more good things to come and c) evidence that good things will happen in other areas of your life, you’re halfway there. If you can also think of negative events as a) not your fault, and b) isolated occurrences that have no bearing on future events or other areas of your life, you’re the rest of the way there!

Here's How:

1.When something positive happens in your life, stop to analyze your thought process for a moment. Are you giving yourself due credit for making it happen? Think of all the strengths you possess and ways you contributed, both directly and indirectly, to make this event occur. For example, if you aced a test, don’t just think of how great it is that you were prepared, but also think of how your intelligence and dedication played a role.

2.Think of other areas of your life that could be affected by this good event. Also, think of how the strengths that you possess that caused this good thing to happen can also cause other positive events in your life. For example, what other good things can come from your intelligence, dedication, and ability to effectively prepare for tasks?


3.Imagine what future possibilities could be in store. Because you hold the key to your success, shouldn’t you expect to do well on future exams? Isn’t a successful career a natural result?


4.When negative events occur, think of the extenuating circumstances that could have contributed to this happening. If you do poorly on an exam, for example, were you especially busy in the preceding week? Were you somewhat sleep deprived? What outside circumstances contributed to your failure? Keep in mind that this isn’t necessarily a reflection of personal weakness.


5.Also remember that you’ll have endless opportunities to do better in the future. Think of your next potential success, or other areas where you can excel.

Tips:

  1. The key to optimism is to maximize your successes and minimize your failures.
  2. It’s beneficial to look honestly at your shortcomings so you can work on them, but focusing on your strengths can never hurt.
  3. Keep in mind that the more you practice challenging your thought patterns, the more automatic it'll become. Don't expect major changes in thinking right away, but do expect them to become ingrained over time.
  4. Always remember that virtually any failure can be a learning experience, and an important step toward your next success!

Thursday, January 18, 2007

10 Ways to Eliminate Obstacles to Success

Boosting Productivity: 10 Ways to Eliminate Obstacles to Success

Can you recall ever working in a situation that you'd describe today as the "job from hell"? If so, even if you knew how to do the job well, you'd probably say that you lacked the essentials for getting your work done.

Many people suffer silently while they're really missing the authority, training, tools, job support, guidance, resources, information, or incentives to be effective. On top of these problems, people may encounter other road blocks to getting things done. Their hurdles might include tangled communications, non-supportive managers, a lack of cooperation, unavailable colleagues, and cumbersome procedures.

When people experience these situations, they're struggling with what I refer to as "burning hassles." Companies that tackle burning hassles head-on can systematically remove these frustrating, mind-numbing barriers to success. This article explains 10 ways to bulldoze obstacles so that you, too, can get rid of them. The benefits will include a visible increase in both personal and organizational performance.

What's Wrong with a Few Obstacles?

Companies that follow what I call a "tough love policy" perpetually expect personnel to find a way to work around nearly every problem they encounter. It's the model in which people are expected to do what they're supposed to do while maintaining a stiff upper lip. Can't the folks who complain about hassles or information holes just "get over it" and be glad they even have a job or contract?

The problem is, people spend endless hours of precious time fighting battles they may not win. Even if people know their jobs inside out, they're usually no match for the boulders that block their every move. And all the while, morale, productivity, and potential profits are simply disappearing down the drain.

10 Keys to Conquering Obstacles to Success


If people have skill deficiencies -- a true lack of job knowledge -- or not enough job practice, you would remedy those through training and/or more repetition on the job. But if people already know how to do their jobs and are facing hurdles, you can start removing these frustrating hassles by being alert for the opportunities below. (You can even adapt this list into a checklist or survey to poll your staff.)

1. Troubleshoot any clogged communications that delay or distort important broadcasts. These could be dragging down both productivity and morale.

2. Identify missing information, such as incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate procedures, standards, schedules, facts, or data needed to do a job. Supply the information as soon as possible, and be sure to maintain it regularly.

3. Be alert for poor cooperation from managers, peers, or suppliers. And by all means, don't "shoot the messenger" when people report these problems!

4. Check for any absent or inadequate tools, equipment, space, lighting, or supplies. These conditions can seriously reduce the ability to do one's job.

5. Uncover overly complex procedures that can be simplified, automated, or even eliminated. The simpler you can make your processes, the better!

6. Correct any work environments or conditions that are problematic or unsafe. Do everything possible to avoid accidents and liability concerns.

7. Recognize where task support ought to be coming from supervision, job aids, quick reference guides, or online assistance. If it's missing, supply it!

8. Look for and reduce extreme work pressure due to unattainable deadlines or workloads. People can't sustain their productivity under these conditions.

9. Be sure people have regular, complete feedback on performance quality, including timely access to data about customer desires and concerns.

10. Sort out any conflicting priorities or directions from authority figures. When people work on multiple projects, this type of confusion is common.


And Here's a Bonus Tip:


It's important to clear up situations in which someone has the responsibility to do a job but lacks the authority to act. Until that's resolved, work is an uphill battle!

In conclusion, are you unsure of where to begin identifying your burning hassles? Try asking your staff or colleagues what's impeding their work. Remember to use these ground rules: No blaming or accusing! Everyone should feel free to speak up without being criticized, and everyone can help brainstorm the solutions.

Source:http://digg.com/business_finance/Boosting_Productivity_10_Ways_to_Eliminate_Obstacles_to_Success

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

5 Ways to Attract More Success

“Hesitation, when one is confronted with a great business idea, is without a doubt, the single largest obstacle to wealth. It is only through dynamic action and financial risk that great fortunes are amassed and multiplied.” J.P. Morgan

Take responsibility for the choices you’ve made in life. No matter where you’re at, accept that you are where you are as a result of your choices. Then you can effectively move on to finding your passion, fulfilling your dreams and earning multiple streams of income. I know of highly intelligent, highly educated people who will not take that first simple step. They are “stuck” in jobs they can’t stand, emotionally bankrupt, and in some cases financially bankrupt, too. Mired in self-pity and constantly blaming others they will never achieve their dreams. So¡.let’s move on to more strategies I learned from that Las Vegas seminar taught by self-made millionaires.

1. Burning desire and personal motivation. Whether you want to achieve overall career success or small business success, you must have a burning desire for whatever it is you want to achieve. Because there will be too many roadblocks and detours along your path. And unless you’re fueled by passion, it’s too easy to experience overwhelm, lose focus and just plain give up. I love coffee (as I write this I’m sitting outside Starbucks!) but as I do more and more of the work I enjoy, i.e., recording CD’s and writing an e-book, my need for caffeine has diminished. I’m fueled by passion, purpose and helping others. It’s easy for me to work late into the night. Of course, it’s also easier when you have a dog and no small children. You get the point. Ask yourself, if you won $50 million in the lottery, what would you do for work even 10 hours per week. Assume you’ve already traveled everywhere and bought everything you could want.
2. Hire a motivation or success coach. One of the main reasons businesses fail is lack of planning and lack of focus. Another reason is procrastination. Procrastination is the result of fear. If you’re having difficulty getting started, hire a motivation coach to push you past the pain of procrastination and into facing your fears. The investment can cost money in the short term but be well worth it once you start seeing results. Every one of the self-made millionaires this past weekend said early on in their career they hired a success team of coaches, tutors, accountants, attorneys and others who could assist them. The message was “don’t try to do everything on your own.” You will feel overwhelmed, procrastinate and fail. So where do you find the finances to hire these experts?

3. Offload your stuff. Get rid of the “things” and frivolous expenses that are holding you back. Many self-made millionaires advise this. If you’re objecting to hiring a team of experts because you don’t know where the money will come from¡what can you sell? Many people have items they want to get rid of but aren’t sure how to post these items with online websites like EBay or Craig’s List. Enlist the help of a friend or expert in this area. Find a way fast to get rid of your credit card debt if you have any. The percentage of Americans with debt is shocking.

4. Your comfort zone is your money zone. This is a clich¨¦, but feel the fear and do it anyway. Be willing to be terrified. To make it easier, find out where you are weakest and grow in those areas. Surround yourself with positive supportive people who’ve achieved professional success. People who can advise you on how to overcome your obstacles.

5. Take action. Goals are nothing without action. Write your success goals down. Make them specific, measurable and realistic. Keep them in your wallet. Write affirmations for your goals. Tape them to your bathroom and living room mirror, bulletin board and refrigerator. Look at them daily. Tape positive affirmations and play them in your car upon arising in the morning, and just before going to bed. Your subconscious mind is most amenable to suggestion first thing in the morning and last thing before going to bed. One gentleman at the conference went from being $90,000 in debt (which he paid off) to earning hundreds of thousands a year with this technique. Bombard yourself with positive messages until you believe them.

The main thing to do is get started. Do something. Do anything that will bring you closer to the personal and professional success you desire. These proven techniques will work for you in achieving greater happiness and fulfillment in any area of your life ¨C if you apply them. Read the right books. Spend the majority of your time with people more successful than you. Hire a success team of experts. Learn the new skills you will have to learn in order to make your dream happen. To stretch into a new money zone, remember you must stretch out of your comfort zone.

Source: http://www.debtcreditus.com/debtcreditblog/5-ways-to-attract-more-success/

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

15 Ways to Improve Your Charisma Now

You recognize them by the twinkle in their eye, their smile that oozes confidence (but not arrogance), and that certain something you can't quite put your finger on, but that draws you in, makes you want more of them.

That "something" is charisma, and it's what sets a great orator apart from an ordinary speaker, a salesperson of the year apart from a mediocre one -- even a beloved president apart from a losing candidate.

The word "charisma" comes from the Greek word 'charis,' or grace, and people who possess it have gained a great advantage. A number of studies have found that people are genuinely drawn to charismatic individuals, and are more willing to buy from them, be influenced by them and even vote for them in a presidential election.
Read more

Friday, December 29, 2006

5 Ways to Get More Abundant in 2007

Here are 5 new habits you must "get" in the coming year if you intend to replace your current marketing blueprint with an abundant marketing blueprint.


Get Uncomfortable! - Your wealth, your marketing success, will correspond directly with the size of your marketing mindset. Get in front of an audience and speak, write for an industry publication, start blogging, network with prospects, write personal thank you notes. You can't grow unless you are uncomfortable. Write a book. Start a radio show. Create a podcast. You are so much bigger than you are allowing yourself to be. Reach.

Read more


Get and Give New Skills - Read everything about marketing you put your hands on. (Perhaps starting with Duct Tape Marketing!) Read your direct mail, watch infomercials, read magazines that cover marketing and "this is a big one" look for ways to teach others how to market and promote their businesses. Become known in your industry for your marketing expertise and show others how to do it - how to get the marketing mindset.


Get Bigger Ideas - Tear your products and services apart. Look for ways to approach an industry problem like know one else can or will. Your ideas don't have to really be that big as long as they are world altering. Come up with one idea this year that makes someone say you are nuts - and then go do it.


Get Value - No matter what you offer, it can be better. Heap more and more on your products and services, give stuff that no one expected you to give. Add services over and above what was agreed upon. Makes people talk about how incredible you are.


Get What You're Worth - If you do the above, you can do this. Raise your prices. Choose to work with fewer clients at much higher rates. Sell based on value, not on time. And, refuse to work with clients that don't fully appreciate the value you have to offer. You can make more space in your head to serve your clients when you don't have clients that bring you down.


Thursday, December 28, 2006

Home-Based Business Start-Up: 7 Tips For Lowering Your Fear Factor

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Let these facts enter in your mind so that you can notice the difference. We desire you to have a look at the material and get an understanding of real estate.

Stop thinking about your start-up fears, and focus on something
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It ll greatly increase your confidence in being the boss.

All of us who tell the truth will admit to having fears. Many people live their entire lives with one fear or other, but Anne Block, discovered how to side step her fear factor into a home business reality. Read more

Monday, December 25, 2006

10 Ways To Be Happy

If you have 10 reasons to be sad and depressed, there are 100 reasons to be happy. It all depends on the way you handle stress and problems. If you really want to be happy, you first need to make a conscious decision that you are going to be happy no matter what. There are numerous benefits of being happy - you will be more healthier and have a positive outlook towards life.

Here are some ways to bring back the happiness in your life:

1. Stop trying to be perfect. Don't expect perfection from yourself or from anybody. You don't need to impress people around you and you don't have to get everything done perfectly. Read more