Archive for awareness
Have You Reviewed Your Conversation Skills?
Posted by: | CommentsHave you heard that many people have difficulty describing their feelings? Conversation is one of the key ways to describe and release feelings. How would you evaluate your conversational skills? Here are some questions to answer: How well do you communicate verbally? How large is your vocabulary? What does your body language say? Do you like to touch, to hug? Were you hugged when you were a child? Are you open to new ideas? Do you know your natural conversation style? What are your values? When was the last time you wrote down your values as they relate to communicating with people? Where do you invest your energy? Does your energy decrease or increase when you have a conversation with someone? How come? How would you define a mutually beneficial relationship? What are your relationship skills? Do you compare yourself with others (which is a form of self-image behavior)?
Is your Self-Esteem intact? In other words, how much do you respect yourself? Are you aware of how you feel about yourself? Can you describe these feelings? What are your attitudes about life and conversations? How much time do you invest in conversation with people daily? How often do you initiate conversations? Do you take advantage of every opportunity to carry on a conversation with people?
To increase your conversational knowledge it is important to first learn about yourself. Keep a journal to write your feelings about your needs, wants, and values. Second, read books about communication skills. Third, listen to educational audiocassette tapes on communication, conversations, and relationships. Fourth, observe others, especially those who are excellent conversationalists. Become aware of the skills you want to learn and the progress you are making.
Now is the time to practice your conversational skills. Begin by initiating conversations. Take small steps. In the beginning, talk with people for a maximum of five minutes. Discover three new
pieces of information about them that you never knew. Then create conversations that last ten, fifteen, and twenty minutes.
Upgrade your conversation skills and then, watch what happens!
How Can You Be An Interesting Conversationalist?
Posted by: | CommentsHow many interesting conversations have you had today, this week, or this year? How many have you had in your lifetime? What is an interesting conversation to you? Is it only when someone makes you the center of attention?
Some people are superlative communicators. Others may be hungry to learn the Art of Conversation. Who listens to you as you talk about your ideas, feelings, and interests? Who do you listen to? We have a tendency to listen to someone who first is interested in us. Then we find it is easier to listen to them.
The television and the computer have influenced our personal and professional interaction dramatically. All skills take practice – practice -practice. Planning and preparation are the keys to any success. I believe 95% of personal and career success is the result of our communication skills. The foundation of our communication skills is our Self-Esteem. How can you improve your conversation competence?
First: Develop a powerful vocabulary. Words are tools you have to verbally communicate what thoughts and feelings are going on inside of you. Learn a new word every day. Write it five times and then put the word into a sentence. You can add 365 new words to your vocabulary each year with this process.
Second: Develop your voice so people are comfortable listening to you. Notice the qualities of the voices you like. Decide to cultivate your voice. Speak into a tape recorder and discover the nuances in your speech that can be improved. Sing your favorite songs in the shower and read out loud. This will help you to add color and style to your speaking voice.
Third: Be aware of your body language. Are you aware of your facial expressions? What are your facial expressions saying to the person ? Are they congruent with what you want to communicate? How is the positioning of your body affecting you and the person in front of you? Do you have open or closed body posture? Are you having eye contact? Do you give each person your undivided attention?
It is important to avoid the conversation errors of interrupting and stepping on peoples’ sentences before they finish. Remember, communication power is: 7% words, 38% tone of voice, and 55% body language. Upgrade, refine, and develop these three areas. Take one new action a day. Make it easy. As you layer these actions, day after day, you will surprised at the skills you have acquired in three, six, and twelve months.
Above all – enjoy your conversations, have fun, and then, watch what happens!
McGrane Global Centers can help you with your conversation and communication skills! Look into our Seminars as well as other Self-Help, Motivational Products.
How Involved Are You In Your Community?
Posted by: | CommentsHave you ever heard the name Kitty Genovese? Many years ago, she was driving home from work at 3:20 a.m. in the neighborhood of Queens, New York. She parked her car and then walked toward her apartment. In the darkness Miss Genovese noticed a stranger. She sensed something and began walking quickly toward a police call box to summon help. She got as far as a street lamp when a man grabbed her.
Her screams cut through the night. She cried, “Oh my God, he stabbed me. Please help me! Please help me!” Lights went on. Someone called down, “Let that girl alone.” It was just the beginning of Miss Genovese’s horrible death.
According to the police report, the killer left when the lights went on, however, he returned when they went out and stabbed her again. Again she screamed. Again lights went on. The killer fled yet returned a third time to inflict the fatal wounds as Miss Genovese lay slumped at the door of an apartment building where she crawled for safety.
Listen carefully to the point of this story. During the 35 minute ordeal, 38 people watched or heard all or part of the attack. One couple later said they turned their lights out and moved closer to get a better view. At 3:50 a.m., a man called the police and said, “I did not want to get involved!”
I have told that story many times during my speaking career . I have a vivid memory of that event of the late 1960’s. What is the reason I am sharing the story with you?
Psychologists and psychiatrists have wondered, “How come Americans remember that tragedy so well?” The public was shocked at both the seriousness of the act and the apathy of the bystanders. The killer was up for parole and was refused. The lack of responsibility for a fellow human being in trouble was alarming. However, the professionals learned that people do not want to get involved.
Some of the statements from the 38 people were:
“Frankly we thought it was a lovers’ quarrel.”
“We were afraid.”
“I was tired.”
Can it happen again? The answer is “yes”, as long as the Self-Esteem of the observers is not intact. We all need to create a safe
environment where people can thrive. This can be accomplished when we each take responsibility for everything we think, say, do, and feel.
Decide now to take action by being involved in your community crime watch program and then, watch what happens!
