Why You Should Take Those Scary Career Risks - The Muse

Why You Should Take Those Scary Career Risks - The MuseWhy You Should Take Those Scary Career Risks Im someone who tends to like to play things safe. Predictable and stable are two of my favorite adjectives, and I always prefer to stick to the beaten path, rather than opting for the road less traveled. And, regardless of what route Im walking on, you can bet I make my best effort to avoid any of those pesky sidewalk cracks- for fear of causing any careless injuries to my dear mothers back.So, needless to say, when I decided to up and quit my full-time job in favor of pursuing a career as a freelance writer, it welches a little (ahem, well, a lot) out of character for me.After I finally put in my two weeks notice with my supervisor, news of my pending career jump began to spread like wildfire. Numerous people approached me with what they said were their well wishes- which, in all honesty, were really just harsh criticisms and warnings with a half-hearted good luck tacked onto the end. Are you sure you want to do this? theyd ask, with a skeptical look on their faces, like I had just told them I was running away to join the circus, It seems like a pretty big risk- wouldnt you just rather play it safe?There they were. The words that had reverberated in my own brain for months before finally gathering my courage and running from my standard 9-to-5 Play it safe.Its advice you hear echoed time and time again. And, its well meaning, really. After all, many of us operate with this understanding that theres a step-by-step guide that will eventually lead us to a fulfilling and rewarding career- that theres some sort of paint-by-numbers approach that will finally give us the lives we want, as long as we play our cards right. In all honesty, its a sentiment that you could easily let dictate your entire career, particularly if youre someone who tends to thrive on the certain rather than the unknown (Im raising my hand over here).As Im sure you can imagine, those three small words taunted me over and over again as I was preparing to take one of the scariest career risks of my life. Who was I to make this jump? I was still young and green- why would I opt for this less traditional path, when I was already safe and secure in my own full-time job? What made me think I deserved to stray from the norm and do something different?But, somehow I managed to push all of those criticisms, naysayers, and nuggets of self-doubt aside, and instead took a running leap and hurled myself off of that ledge that- most of the time- seemed totally foolish and unreasonable.And, you know what? Im glad I did it. Not only has it led me to a career that I absolutely adore, but it also taught me something valuable about the way I was approaching my entire career- and even other decisions outside of my work life.Its all too easy to think that success resides with the predictable. With all the talk of climbing the ladder and paying your dues, anyone can understand why youd think tha t theres a certain rigid structure you need to obey- that if you follow the steps clearly laid out in front of you, youre bound to eventually wrap your greedy hands around what you really want. However, its important to recognize that theres always more than one way to do anything. And, safe doesnt always equal successful. In fact, sometimes sticking with the tried and true is a surefire way to land yourself in a career rut. There are countless stories of people who did things exactly as they were supposed to, and still remain unsatisfied with where they ended up. So, where am I going with this long-winded tale? Well, if you take one thing from this article, it should be this Playing it safe isnt always the best route. As a matter of fact, some of the biggest career successes and achievements have been attained by those people who disregarded the inclination to stick with the predictable and instead decided to do something that seemed just a little crazy. Bill Gates dropped out of H arvard. Apple got its start in a garage. The initial premise of Harry Potter was drafted on a napkin. You know the stories.Believe me, I know how tempting it can be to stick to that well-mapped and well-trodden path- its comforting. But, while taking a well-informed risk might not always seem as reassuring, it can definitely be more rewarding. And, take it from me- the view from the road less traveled? Well, it can be pretty amazing.Photo of happy person courtesy of Hero Images/Getty Images.

How to eliminate procrastination

How to eliminate procrastinationHow to eliminate procrastinationYou know you want a better job, relationship with loved ones, home, group of friends - the list goes on. Yet you are wise enough to realize that those are just trappings of fulfillment. Getting doesnt bring joy. A peaceful perspective where you make room for curiosity and compassion and edge out judgment and perfectionism is where you want to be. You long for a state of mind where acceptance is king and expectations and resentment are banished from your kingdom to a place where forgiveness prevails and control has no value - a place where your career and personal goals are aligned with your authentic self and whoosh into your life like a breeze of freshly cut grass.So why cant you get there?Do you see your future pretty much like the present +/- 10%? Have you dummied down your goals? Do you lack the energy to organize your life and set new goals for fear of that the next trying challenge is just around the corner?Procr astination is simply you not thinking fulfillment is possible. You dont know what to reach for and why do it anyway since it never comes.What future rewards do you put on sale when you give up or procrastinate? The immediate payoff might be that you arent disappointed. At first. That works for a while. The long-term effect of procrastination is stagnation and little chance for a better life.Is putting your future rewards on sale to hide from a perceived disappointment a fair trade? Who would you be if you set your fear aside?Squeeze in betweenWhat I continue to realize in my clients, in what I read, in the research is that you may not be able to control your emotions but you can control your thoughts which then affects your behavior and choices. The brain is like a muscle. The decision to have a clear intention and purpose is how to begin a mindful journey to joy in the moment - accepting what is without judgment.There is a difference between feeling and emotion and acting on it. W hen you are mindful you squeeze in between the two to create a space where you take a deep breath and say, Okay, maybe theres another way.Dont be the reactionary leader. Create a moment of silence. Listen to the silence. There is power in the pause. Have no expectations or judgment. Accept what is. Slow yourself down enough to notice your own breath. Notice sounds, what you smell, flavors and feel of every moment - even if the ones that scare you. Dont run from fear. Notice it. It is not real. It is you practicing failure in advance. Lean into it - risk vulnerability. Say, Im afraid and I am still ok. Therein lays the magic of wisdom bubbling up in front of you.MarywindschattenGannon, ACC, CAEis an executive coach and corporate CEO who helps busy leaders get off the treadmill to nowhere to be more effective, earn more, bemore calm and enjoyconnected relationships with the people who matter while it still matters.Watch her FREE Master Class training on Three Things to Transform You r Life and Career Right Now atwww.MaryLeeGannon.com.

Verbal Communication Skills List and Examples

Verbal Communication Skills List and ExamplesVerbal Communication Skills List and ExamplesAlmost every job requires workers to use verbal communication skills. Thats why verbal skills are highly ranked on the candidate evaluation checklists used by many job interviewers. The stronger your communication skills, the better your chances of getting hired regardless of the job for which youre applying. Youll do better during the interview, as well as on the job. What Are Verbal Communication Skills? Effective verbal communication skills include mora than just talking. Verbal communication encompasses both how you deliver messages and how you receive them. Communication is asoft skill, and its one that is important to every employer. Workers who can convey information clearly and effectively are highly valued by employers. Employees who can interpret messages and act appropriately on the information that they receive have a better chance of excelling on the job. Verbal Communication Skills in the Workplace What constitutes effective verbal communication on the job depends on the relationships between communication partners and the work context. Verbal communication in a work setting takes place between many different individuals and groups such as co-workers, bosses and subordinates, employees, customers, clients, teachers and students, and speakers and their audiences. Verbal communication occurs in many different contexts including training sessions, presentations, group meetings, performance appraisals, one-on-one discussions, interviews, disciplinary sessions, sales pitches, and consulting engagements. Examples of Verbal Communication Skills Here are some examples of effective workplace verbal communication skills employed in different workplace contexts. Verbal Communications for Supervisors The best supervisors dont merely tell their subordinates what to do and expect them to listen. Instead, they employ active listening skills to understand employe e needs and perspectives, engage in verbal negotiation to address and defuse issues, and capitalize upon opportunities to praise individual and team achievement. Advising others regarding an appropriate course of actionAssertivenessConveying feedback in a constructive manner emphasizing specific, changeable behaviorsDisciplining employees in a direct and respectful mannerGiving credit to othersRecognizing and countering objectionsShowing an interest in others, asking about and recognizing their feelingsSpeaking calmly even when youre stressedTerminating staffTraining others to carry out a task or roleUsing affirmative sounds and words like uh-huh, got you, I understand, for sure, I see, and yes to demonstrate understanding Using self-disclosure to encourage sharing Verbal Communications for gruppe Members Open and constant lines of communication are vital to team success, particularly when completing quality- and deadline-critical projects. One of the most important team-building sk ills, strong verbal communications help to ensure that issues will be spotted and resolved in formative stages, averting costly escalation. Conveying messages conciselyEncouraging reluctant group members to share inputExplaining a difficult situation without getting angryExplaining that you need assistanceParaphrasing to show understandingPosing probing questions to elicit more detail about specific issuesReceiving criticism without defensivenessRefraining from speaking too often or interrupting othersRequesting feedbackStating your needs, wants, or feelings without criticizing or blaming Verbal Communications with Clients If a large part of your work involves one-on-one communications with customers, its helpful to have a gift of gab particularly if you are a sales professional. Keep in mind, though, that your conversations need to be focused upon identifying and addressing your clients needs using your verbal talents to encourage consultative dialogues will ensure positive client relations. Anticipating the concerns of othersAsking for clarificationAsking open-ended questions to stimulate dialogueCalming an agitated customer by recognizing and responding to their complaintsEmphasizing benefits of a product, service, or proposal to persuade an individual or groupNoticing non-verbal cues and responding verbally to verify confusion, defuse anger, etc. Verbal Communications for Presenters Public speaking is a talent that is honed both through practice and through formal training. Speaking articulately and persuasively to a live audience involves Enunciating each word you speak clearlyIntroducing the focus of a topic at the beginning of a presentation or interactionPlanning communications prior to deliveryProjecting your voice to fill the roomProviding concrete examples to illustrate pointsRestating important points towards the end of a talkSelecting language appropriate to the audienceSpeaking at a moderate pace, not too fast or too slowlySpeaking confidently b ut with modestySummarizing key points made by other speakersSupporting statements with facts and evidence Tailoring messages to different audiencesTelling stories to capture an audienceUsing humor to engage an audience Tips to Improve Your Verbal Communications Even if you are a shy introvert who prefers to work independently, there are ways to improve your verbal communications skills so that you can more easily cultivate rapport with others. Practice makes perfect, and so take the time to actively practice these communications skills for workplace success active listening, clarity and conciseness, confidence, empathy, friendliness, open-mindedness, giving and soliciting feedback, confidence, respectfulness, and non-verbal (body language, tone of voice, eye contact) communication.