Personality - Changing for the Better

Ever wished you had the power to change yourself? If you don’t like the person you are right now, what’s stopping you from becoming the person you want to be? Some people undergo bouts of depression, because they would have their lives differently from what’s happening to them at present. But the power to change yourself into a better you starts with knowing that you are in control.

Make a list of the things you hate about yourself. Naturally, it’s harder for oneself to come up with negative attributes you have. But since your goal is personal development, you have to be as precise as you can. Changing yourself will only be possible if you know exactly what you want to change. Then make a list of the things you love about yourself. If you know your assets and your potentials, you will also know exactly where to start.

Changing oneself should be more than just a mental transformation. You may believe that you have transformed from selfish to generous when actually you haven’t really changed at all! Make your changes more physical, by making a habit out your proposed changes. If you want to be generous, you can sign up for volunteer work on weekends. If you want to be slimmer, enroll in a gym class. Do actions which will compel you to commit so you can truly achieve your newly-improved self.

Start today. Remember that changing is a complicated process. A lot of things that you do are deeply ingrained in your personality. It’s not easy. And it may take years for you to break your old habits and learn new ones. If you plan to be a changed person just before you have kids or for your kids to grow up, then better start now.

Check yourself. Keep your list in your pocket (just like Rahul in My Name is Rahul). This way, you can always remind yourself of those things that you want changed about yourself.

Remember. It takes time and it’s difficult. But don’t give up so easily.

Visit us at : http://www.letstalk.co.in Institute for English Speaking courses, Personality Development, Accent Training, Business English, Ielts and Toefl in Mumbai

How to Improve Business Communication Skills

Good business communication skills are what often sets apart a rising corporate star from an also-ran. If a person can effectively sell ideas to others, that skill can catapult you to the corner office. But good business communications skills are often learned, not a part of your DNA. Here are some ways to make it to the corporate heights by improving your ability to communicate effectively.

Instructions

1. 
   
   Step 1
   Find a mentor who exhibits the ability to communicate well at your company, soon after you are hired. Tell him that you want to improve your ability to communicate and that you are impressed by his skills. Ask him to share what he did to hone them. Finally, ask that he keep track of your progress and give you pointers on how you can improve. As you become a "seasoned employee" who is on the rise, volunteer to become a mentor to someone who has just been hired.
   
2. 
   
   Step 2
   Improve your ability to listen, and you are halfway to being a good business communicator. You may think that you listen well, but the chances are you are actually figuring out what you should say next. Ask good questions, and then listen well to the answers. You are likely to break through someone's "hidden agenda" and learn what is really important to her. Above all, remember there is often a difference between what someone may say and the opinions she might actually have.
   
3. 
   
   Step 3
   Practice your business communications skills as frequently as you can. Start by writing memos and emails. Always write your findings, recommendations and other requirements of your job, even though you normally offer them face-to-face. Curry favor by offering them as an adjunct to your oral presentation. It demonstrates both professionalism and forethought.
   
4. 
   
   Step 4
   When you attend a meeting, be sure your presence is felt by the questions or answers you give. If necessary, force yourself to do this until it becomes second nature. When you are asked to present your views to a group, prepare a formalized presentation then practice it beforehand. Increased familiarity will ease presenting to a group.
   
5. 
   
   Step 5
   Take communications courses that your company may offer, or request permission to attend sessions by  Communication Seminars or something similar. Also, learn how to address an audience by becoming a member of Toastmasters International, an organization with chapters across the country.
   
   Visit us at : http://www.letstalk.co.in Institute for English Speaking courses, Personality Development, Accent Training, Business English, Ielts and Tofel in Mumbai.
   

How to Practice Stress Management Techniques

Managing stress is important for us to maintain a healthy body and mind. Stress has been called the "silent killer." Stress and the accompying effects can make us sick causing bodily symptoms such as headaches, backaches, constipation, diarrhea, tiredness, sleep disturbances and much more. Stress also affects our thoughts and feelings causing depression, sadness, resentment, worry, and other problems. Some behaviors are a direct result of stress in our lives. Such as overeating, drinking to excess, abusing drugs, having anger outbursts, sleeping too much or too little,and overindulging in television to name a few.Although stress is a part of our daily lives because it comes from external and internal sources; there are numerous techniques to manage and reduce the stress in our lives and get relief from it.

1. Step 1
   Relaxation needs to be a priority when you are trying to learn new stress management techniques. Count to ten if you feel yourself stressing out. Take a few deep breaths. Take a one minute mini-vacation.Visualize a place where you would like to be at the moment;such as the beach or at home in your recliner.
   
2. Step 2
   Exercise daily to help manage stress. You can walk as little as 20 minutes per day and reap great benefits. Play tag or ball with your kids, take your dog for a walk, walk upstairs instead of taking the elevator, park farther away at the store. Do an exercise DVD, get the whole family involved.
   
3. Step 3
    
   Eating properly is important. Focus on cutting back on white sugar,salt and the caffine found in soft drinks, coffee, and tea.Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains. Drink plenty of water. Try to drink 6-8 glasses per day. Add some lemon or try no calorie flavored water.
   
4. Step 4
   Sleep well. Make sure you get the required 7-8 hours of rest each night. Restrict the use of caffine and alcohol before bedtime. Avoid television or video games later in the evening. Try to do something that will relax you such as reading or a hobby.
   
5. Step 5
   Time managment is important. Make a to-do list and prioritize your day. Don't overcommit your time. Be sure to say no to new projects when you are feeling overwelmed. Put yourself first for a portion of each day (even if its a short 15 minutes).
   
6. Step 6
   Volunteer your time, talents, or money to help others for a cause that is important to you. When we help others it helps us count our blessings and realize what we have. We tend to feel good about ourselves when we enhance others lives.
   
7. Step 7
   Self-talk is important. If you wouldn't say something to a friend don't say it to yourself. Don't make negetive comments berating yourself. Be your own best friend. Don't be afraid to give yourself a pat on the back or a reward for a job well done.
   
8. Step 8
   Develope a new hobby or interest. Take time to enjoy life and have some fun. Take a class or learn a new skill. Being creative and learning something new gives you new energy and life.
   
9. Step 9
   Surround yourself with caring and supportive family and friends. Hire a Life Coach to help you move forward and improve your life by encouraging you to grow. Find people you can talk with openly and honestly to share the joys and burdens of everyday living. Spend time with people who build you up and encourage you. Spend less time with people who tear you down and who choose to be negetive.
   

Visit us at : http://www.letstalk.co.in Institute for English Speaking courses, Personality Development, Accent Training, Business English, Ielts and Tofel in Mumbai

Importance of Public Speaking

Public speaking skills are often overlooked by people as being unimportant or they may think that they will never be called to speak in public, that's why they do not bother to get themselves acquainted with any public speaking skills. Truth is, more often then not, it is these people that often get tongue tied and being in a state of total meltdown when faced with the possibility that they will be asked to present a topic in public, even a topic they know inside out.
To some people, they do not put high importance or regards to the importance of having good public speaking skills because they have an impression that good public speaking skills are only for people in sales or marketing. This is untrue. Good public speaking skills are also a hallmark of good communication skills and having good communication skills is essential for any career, unless you are the only person in the entire office. For example, if you are signing up for a new job, any job at all, you will probably need to go for an interview. During the interview, the interviewer does not just judge you based on your qualifications, your ability to communicate, both spoken and unspoken, also constitutes a part of the decision making process of whether you will be accepted or not. If you are a student in college, your ability to deliver a good public speaking session will also be tested on regular basis. An example of this will be the various class presentations that you need to do over the course of the semester and the grading criteria will almost certainly have an element of "clarity of delivery" in it. By not knowing how to give a clear and effective presentation using good public speaking skills will only disadvantage yourself because if you cannot communicate clearly to your audience, it is as if you have never learnt the subject at all.
This is one of the reasons perhaps why a lot of ideas by some of the most intelligent people on the planet are only discovered many years after their death. One of the possible reasons is that although they are highly intelligent and have written very useful information, they just cannot seem to put through to people what they are thinking about due to their lack of ability to communicate to a large group of people using public speaking techniques.
Public speaking skills are not only used in situation where you have to address a large group of people. Communication skills and public speaking skills are inter-related, hence, if you improve your public speaking skills, you also invariably improve your interpersonal communication skills with your peers and family.
Therefore, if you are ever presented with an opportunity to practice public speaking or learn public speaking skills, don't shy away from it. Whether you are in class, in the office or in any kind of setting that requires you to deliver a message to an audience, pick up your courage and go for it. Public speaking is a skill and the more you use it and practice it, the better you will become. To improve your public speaking skills or even if you are a new beginner, there are a lot of public speaking audio books or guide books to learn from. By picking up a good public speaking skill, you will have an edge over others who don't.