4 Important Keys To Effective Communication

There are four aspects of effective communication. Remember, not all communication is verbal. Actions, facial expressions, and posture all communicate a message. Some people unknowingly send the wrong message.

1. Discretion.

The dictionary defines discretion as being careful about what one says or does, or the ability to keep silent; regulated by one’s own choice. Discretion is a choice. It is a quality that you develop and master, becoming more discrete as you practice. Keeping quiet is the best way to practice. Talking too much is very destructive. High achievers have learned to guard their conversation carefully, knowing when to speak and when not to speak, what to say and what not to say.

2. Active Listening.

It is nearly always more profitable to listen than it is to speak. A good listener may hear something that will add to his collection of knowledge. Be attentive to what others say. You practice active listening by mentally repeating what the other party says a moment after he says it. You will stay alert and grasp the details of the conversation. This takes practice, but soon it will become a part of your everyday conversation.

3. Clarity.

Be clear with your words. Whenever you attempt to present an idea or the progress of a project, prepare what you say. Be clear, concise, and candid in every conversation. Allow your boss’s questions to carry on the conversation rather than your presentation.

4. Gain Understanding.

Don’t leave the conversation until you understand what is expected of you. Don’t feel unprofessional for asking your boss to explain what he wants from you. Write it down. This shows him that you are interested in doing what he says. Gaining a deeper and more clear understand will greatly enhance the final product.

Learning to communicate is crucial in the workplace environment. These are just four main aspects of effective communication. There are many more, but the point is to know with whom you are communicating. Everyone needs to be communicated with differently. Always ask yourself: How will they receive what I am trying to say? Step into their shoes, then make the decision to communicate or not.

Also, your body language consists of nearly 70% of all communication. How you posture greatly determines how yours words are received. This is a skill you must learn if you want to communicate effectively.

Take Action:

1. In what ways can you be more discrete?

2. How would you rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 as an effective listener? What can you do to improve your rating?

3. Always try to step into the shoes of those you are speaking with. Ask yourself, how will this effect them emotionally?

Stop Waiting For Your Ship To Come In

People say it all the time: “Maybe I’ll be somebody, someday.” What most do not realize is that distinction is not something you wait for. It is the result of right choices. At this point, I would like to continue our quest by making it clear that our present actions (how we prepare, plan, and execute today) closely determine any level of distinction in our future. There is unmistakable proof that those who are clear about where they are heading do something; and they do it deliberately, in calculated, measurable increments. What’s their secret? These folks map out a plan – a predetermined, structured plan. This chapter presents a series of practical steps, keeping that objective in mind.

Visualize with me, for a moment, a familiar scene. It’s an easily identifiable setting – one possibly located only a few miles from where you are reading this book. A prominent structural engineer has situated his entire fleet of multi-million-dollar construction equipment at a brand new building site for a massive skyscraper. However, as he walks onto the site, not a single blueprint is anywhere to be found. Furthermore, imagine, if you can, that this engineer’s personnel are ordered to erect iron beams and assemble steel posts having never been provided with specific blueprints to follow. The result of such an event would be nothing short of disastrous, wouldn’t it? So why is it any different with our lives? Shouldn’t the plan for your life and mine be given much greater thought than that of a mere man-inspired, steel-and-iron skyscraper?

No matter where we’ve come from or who we claim to be, God purposefully grants us each moment of our existence. So what will you and I return to Him, as we breathe our last breath? The answer to that question is found in our daily decisions. No one can force us to get off the couch and exercise, eat the right foods, read stimulating books, attain higher education, build healthy relationships, or love God. Each individual must make those choices for himself. You have been given the privilege of making what is commonly known as an “executive” decision. Why? It’s primarily because you are a steward over your own life. Sure, from time to time you are explicitly assigned varied guidelines and instructions, but the majority of your decisions are yours alone to make.

The greatest commodity we have is LIFE, which is measured by and made up of TIME. The question, “What are you going to do with your life?” is synonymous with “What are you going to do with your time?” Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the rich are rich because life haphazardly bestowed wealth upon them but chose not to endow it upon the impoverished. No, the clear disparity between the prosperous and the poor lies in the means by which they choose to invest their time. Your choices determine your destiny.

People are interesting aren’t they? Let’s put this in perspective and compare our friend Jim to a fellow we’ll call Harry. Jim appreciates good music and loves to socialize with other people. He enjoys watching movies and staying up late, which usually causes him to oversleep. On the way to work, Jim listens to music or the tedious chatter of news radio. When he comes home, Jim plops on the couch to relax. He likes to watch TV while reading the newspaper or scanning a current magazine. Because Jim doesn’t relish being alone, he frequently occupies his time fraternizing with his friends. He isn’t quite clear where his life is heading, but he knows he desires to do great things. And let me not forget, Jim makes sure he is in church each and every Sunday.

Now the other fellow, Harry, is an avid learner. He spends a couple of hours, every day, working on improving himself, reading books, and journaling his discoveries. Although he also loves people, he is willing to sacrifice time with others in order to prepare for the future he desires. On the way to work, he routinely listens to personal development teachings. When Harry comes home from work, he invests time in his health by exercising. And because he desires to expand in the business world, he does so by learning a new skill, which can be utilized on the job. Harry watches only a modest amount of television; he would much rather use the time to review both his goals and the plan he has mapped out to reach those goals. Harry also goes to church and takes notes, usually sitting in the same row as Jim, the two often greeting one another like old friends.

Now let me ask you, which one do you think will live a more fulfilled and prosperous life? Did you say Harry? Of course! Harry chooses to employ time as the tool through which he can accomplish his dreams and fulfill his goals.

What You Do Makes All The Difference

The Only Difference Between Two Individuals Is The Time It Takes Between What they KNOW and what They DO!

Everyone wants to be healthy and in betters shape, but only few are. Everyone wants to be wealthy, but only a few are. Everyone wants to be happy and fulfilled, but only a few are. Everyone desires to develop strong and intimate relationships, but only a few ever do.

What is it you want out of life? A better marriage; a thriving business; more money? What is it? Remember, the choice is yours. You don’t get what you want or what you wish. You get what you earn. You get what you pay for. God has given us the ability to choose which kind of life we will have. You can have whatever you want, but nothing comes without a price. The better the quality of life, the greater the price you have to pay.

The question I had to ask myself was this, “Am I willing to pay the price to get what I desire? Will I pay the price to succeed? Will I pay the price to travel the world and influence millions of people?” Unless I am willing to pay the price, I will never maximize my full potential.

Easy Road:

We live in a society that wants to take the easy road. Most people want something for nothing. The majority of employees expect a raise just because it is January. Nothing of value comes without a price. You and I must choose today to do whatever is necessary to create the future that God intends for us.

According to the latest statistics, it is estimated that approximately 95% of people age 45 – 65 are not happy. They expected to be further than they presently are. Regardless of your age, you don’t have to be unhappy. You can choose today to move toward your goals. You can choose to create a life of which you’ve always dreamed — one of passion and growth. It’s never too late. Make the decision today, to never again look back. Always look at the prize. You are destined to win! The choice is yours.