_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageLoadTime']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

Archive for September, 2009

Communicating with children

Hi every one, before we begin I would appreciate if you do a small exercise. Close your eyes and breathe deeply and slowly. Visualize a little, chubby, naughty kid playing with you, kissing you, rubbing its cheek against yours. How does it feel like? Fabulous, heavenly this is what most of us would respond.

Children are one of the most precious gifts we have on this planet and they need a lot of attention and care in the process of growing up and developing into responsible citizens. We have to exercise a lot of caution when communicating with children because, printing of thought patterns takes place instantly in the case of children and they remember the incidents forever.

Children are like programmable logic boards we use in the world of computers and electronics and things are very difficult to erase from the minds of children. One has to be very careful handling them.

The prime factor is to come from the feelings of unconditional love and forgiveness when communicating with children.

Let us see how we can communicate effectively with children:

1- The very first thing we must remember in this case is that we have to relate with the children and not dominate them.

One has to come down to the level of understanding what the children want and what would make them feel at ease. It is very important to discipline them but this should come gradually through bringing them to understand the realities of life slowly and with a lot of love and patience.

2- Shouting at the kids or beating them should be strictly avoided.

For they will get used to this with time and you would not be able to make them good people; rather negative thought patterns would damage their natural growth.

3- Try to connect with the children with soft words and be friendly with them.

Stories and games are the best ways to come in close proximity with them and plant seeds of good manners, ethics and discipline on this soil.

4- Try to watch what your children like the most.

And create an environment conducive for their natural and unhindered growth.

These are some practical actions to communicate effectively with our children,
I will tell you a lot more in the next post.
See you then.


Action steps to improve our listening skills

Today we are going to know the step by step actions to improve our listening skills and to be an active listener.

So what should we do to have this great skill?

1- Show that you are listening. Pause any thing you are doing and pay attention by looking directly to the speaker, avoid to be distracted by environmental factors.

2- Listen not only to the words, but also try listening to the feelings of the person.

3- Focus on the body language. You will receive a lot of information of the message he wants to send.

4- Show interesting to what he is saying. Use facial expressions such as smiling every now and then node and encourage hem to speak by using small verbal comments such as yes, hmm, and uh huh.

Your posture is very important, make sure it is inviting and welcoming.

5- Paraphrase the words he is saying. What we understand from hearing is not always right so asking questions like: “Sounds like you are saying…” or I think you mean that…” is important to be sure that you have got the right message. Ask clarifying questions occasionally, and summarize the speaker’s comments periodically.

6- Do not interrupt.

7- Respond positively and respectfully. Even though you may disagree with speaker but you should start your respond with a positive message with   a respective way in order to make him relax and know that he is not in    a war, it is just a conversation even if you have a different point of view.

8- Lastly, treat the other person as he or she would want to be treated. Try to understand the person you are talking with and his backgrounds, so you can treat him in the right way.

You may see that these steps are long and hard, well I admit that they are not that easy It takes a lot of concentration and determination, but believe me by practice it will be very easy and you will do it unconsciously and when you are there be sure that you have developed a very important skill that will change your life and speed your success.

Our action step for today is:

Apply our steps of listening when you speak with people; also practice on thinking and speaking more positively. Try it with your close friends and family, after a while you will get familiar with this kind of listening and you will automatically do it with all people.

And remember that your ability to listen will have a positive impact not only on your effectiveness at work and home but also your success in your overall relationships with others.


Archives

Categories

Recent Posts

Calender

September 2009
M T W T F S S
« Aug   Oct »
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930