Archive for growth
How do we inspire ourselves to greatness?
Posted by: | CommentsHow do we inspire ourselves to greatness when nothing else will do?
Have you seen the movie Invictus? If you have not I encourage you to go right away if you are a person looking for inspiration toward your own and loftier goals for your community and the world.
Some may say the story line is too simple, yet that simplicity is what makes it so powerful.
Do you have visions of dreams and goals not yet fulfilled? Do you seek a higher place in life then you are right now? Then I challenge you like the movies does to get past your past and reasons you can’t and just go out there this day and year and make the impossible - possible.
Choose the other rode less traveled without fear or disruption from your intent and experience an exhilaration that will remove the doubt and replace it with new vigor and vitality toward your ambitions.
This is a time when we need new leaders with fresh ideas to come beyond the ordinary and choose the extraordinary. If you are one of those people blog me letting me know your ideas for action. Allow yourself to move into your greatness and unlock the doors to new opportunities inspired by your optimism causing your ne sayer’s to be humbled with vitalized energy for a new fresh start.
Yes, you are the only person who can flip that switch that ignites the fuel for action on your road to your destiny. Get started now and let’s do something bodacious.
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.
Are Self-Image And Self-Esteem Different?
Posted by: | CommentsMy qualitative research convinces me that Self-Esteem is the number one issue to be addressed in order to obtain the best results in life. For over 45 years, I have asked these questions:
1. How come I hurt so much?
2. How come other people hurt so much?
3. How come there are millions of people addicted to food, alcohol and drugs?
4. How come there is so much violence?
5. How come 85% of American workers are unfulfilled in what they do?
Do you remember how you felt about yourself 5-10-15 years ago? Where is your Self-Esteem now? How would you have answered the questions below 5-10-15 years ago and now? How will you answer them 5-10-15 years from now?
1. What is your purpose for living?
2. What do you like least about yourself?
3. What do you like best about yourself?
4. Who made the greatest impact on your life?
5. What did that person do for you?
6. What makes you most alive?
7. What new skill(s) will you learn in the next 5-10-15 years?
8. What legacy will you leave behind for having lived your life?
What memories do you want to create, to look back on 5-10-15 years from now, that will be different from your past memories? The reality is that you will create memories of Self-image or Self-Esteem. What is the difference?
Self-image is an imitation or representation of what you want to present to the world. It is comparison of yourself and others. It is a facade; unreal. Self-Esteem is the self respect you feel for yourself.
How do you know if your Self-Esteem is intact? When you were born, you had intact Self-Esteem. It is your birthright. Every baby receives that gift. As soon as you met significant others, such as, mother, father, or other caretakers, siblings, uncles, aunts, and grandparents, there were op-portunities for comparison with other peoples’ skills, appearance, and behavior.
You may have heard:
1. “You are bad.”
2. “You can’t do that.”
3. “I wish you were never born!”
4. “Why aren’t you like your brother or sister?”
5. “I’m ashamed of you.”
6. “You will never amount to anything.”
7. “You don’t live up to my expectations.”
8. “Who do you think you are?”
9. “You are stupid.”
10. “When will you ever learn?”
All of those words could cut you to the bone. If you heard these statements it is likely you have remembered them all of your life. These words impacted you more if your parents put you down or criticized you. These comments are all based on Self-Image and they can destroy your Self-Esteem!
As you move forward in your life, different times of the year will cause memories to emerge. The pleasure or pain of previous experiences influences the actions you will take. For example, you may be one of many people who, during the Christmas season, do not want to go home because your parents still treat you like a child, bringing up painful childhood memories. You may make other plans to avoid such pain. Then, feelings of guilt could emerge. As a result, you may feel so pressured that you go home even though you do not want to. How do you release the painful memories and create pleasure?
Do you recall a favorite story when you were a child? Did you ask a parent to read you the story over and over again? Do you know how come you wanted to listen? Would you agree the answer is that you knew the endings which made you feel safe, secure and familiar? Do you still want to know the endings to feel safe, secure and familiar?
I believe any memory that makes you feel uncomfortable is something you may want to avoid; like going home for the holidays. However, what can you do to create happy memories? How can you avoid comparing NOW with then?
Accept yourself where you are right now! Avoid comparison (Self-Image) and create more pleasure in your life. Decide now to develop your Self-Esteem. As you feel better about yourself, you attract the same feelings from others. Begin by practicing what is written below:
1. Avoid all put downs and criticism of self and others.
2. Release all gossip.
3. Avoid hanging onto painful past experiences. Let them go.
4. Focus on the best qualities of yourself and every member of your family.
5. Be other-centered. Give your undivided attention to each person you meet.
6. Upgrade your external listening skills.
7. Refine your Art of Asking Questions.
8. Ask people to share information with you, about their life experiences.
9. Develop more friendly relationships with each person in your family.
10. Create new memories so next year you can build on this year’s memory investment.
11. Realize the meaning of your communication is the outcome you receive.
12. Learn the power of affirmations and affirm each person you meet.
13. Choose each word carefully. Harsh words usually cause pain and soft words usually create pleasure.
Decide to develop your Self-Esteem – the self-respect you feel for yourself and then, watch what happens!
How do you know if your Self-Esteem is intact? Fill out this survey and “find out who you are!”
