3 Very Small Ways To Become A Better Speaker

I don't mind telling you that I'd like to become a better speaker. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that because of the importance of public speaking you pretty much feel the same way. However, we always face the big challenge - what do we need to do in order to become better? Should we run away for a week in the woods with a speaking guru? Perhaps, but it turns out that there are a number of small things that we can do that will have a big impact on how good of a speaker we become.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

All too often I run into speakers who are not happy. When I talk with them and try to find out what's up, more often than not what I discover is that somebody has done something that this person feels has wronged them. What they have forgotten is that ultimately, they are the ones who are in control of how they feel and if they are going to feel happy, then it's going to be all up to them.

Being a speaker is tough work - it truly takes a lot of energy out of all of us. If you choose to be unhappy, then you are going to discover that being unhappy also takes a lot of work. You'll have less energy to give to your speeches. It's not worth it so don't be unhappy. Develop a positive attitude and you'll be ready to all of the opportunities and challenges that come along with being a speaker.

Did You Remember To Smile Today?

I don't know about you, but I sure wish that I had the ability to control other people. It just seems like everything would go that much easier because everyone would be doing exactly what I wanted them to do. I don't have that ability, but I do have the ability to change other people's moods. All I have to do is to smile at them.

When you smile at someone they really have no choice about what they are going to do next. They are almost forced to smile back at you. When they do this, something happens and all of a sudden they just feel better. What this means is that they now associate you with feeling better. From that association great things can happen. And it all started with just a smile.

Don't Forget Your Sense Of Humor

There are a lot of serious things that we deal with in this life. However, if we don't have a sense of humor then when the unexpected happens we are going to be poorly equipped to handle it. If when something happens, you are just going to stand there and look upset, then that is exactly how your audience is going to be feeling.

Instead, what you need to do is to develop the ability to roll with events as they occur. Look at everything that happens to you and find the lighter side of it. I'm not talking about trying to memorize jokes here, rather I'm talking about having the ability to see events as they unfold and to make your audience laugh about being part of it. If you can get good at this, then you'll be able to keep your audience focused on you even as the unexpected happens.

What All Of This Means For You

When we think about becoming a better speaker, I'm pretty sure that we all picture going off to some military style boot camp where drill sergeants run us through speaking exercises day and night until we can do them in our sleep. Such a place may exist, but it turns out that becoming a better speaker and maximizing the benefits of public speaking is actually much easier to accomplish.

The first thing that we need to understand is that we control our mood - nobody else does. What this means for you is that if you want to be happy, it's going to be up to you to make it happen, not someone else. Next, we have the ability to influence how other people feel. All we have to do is to smile at them and they'll smile back at us. This makes everyone feel better. Finally, when you head off to speak, make sure that you take your sense of humor along. We don't control the world so as things happen, make sure that you and your audience can laugh at them.

When you realize that becoming a better speaker is not only fairly easy to do, but is also in your hands to accomplish, all of sudden this starts to seem like it might be something that you could accomplish. The three things that we've discussed are easy to do. Give it a try and see what comes of it!

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Why December Is a Great Month for Hiring

If there was ever a time to get depressed about being unemployed, it is in December. It is tough to be out of work with the holidays looming and you find yourself short on cash when all you want to do is buy gifts for your family.

The good news is that this can be the best month to be hired for a new job. If you have not already, follow up NOW on any recent interviews or applications and try to keep a positive outlook on any opportunities that may present themselves.

Many businesses, and not just those in retail, hire seasonal employees. While it may seem pointless to take a job that is only temporary, these often lead to a permanent position. You get a paycheck for a specified number of weeks and all that time you are proving to the company what an asset you are, not to mention that those numbered weeks would have been weeks where you brought in nothing had you not taken the temporary job. Many people consider this a really long job interview with work samples thrown in for good measure, which provides much more than what a resume can!

There is also a little known fact that many departments have budgets that have to be spent or else they will be allocated less money next year. In the case of spend-it-or-lose-it, these hiring managers are under a lot of pressure to hire before the clock runs out on December 31st.

These positions are not normally temporary and can be just the career boost you have been needing. Talk about a huge advantage for those in the job market!

Finally, when there is a presidential election coming up, many companies and hiring managers will be waiting to see what will happen so that they will be able to better predict their budgets and company needs for the next few years. For you this means that companies that are holding back hiring until after the election will started to go ahead and hire the staff they will need.

This is a great time to get yourself hired so dust off your resume and cover letter and get started. This whole idea may seem far away, but it'll be here before you know it so be sure to prepare yourself ahead of time and keep track of your resume. You don't want to find yourself unprepared with an opportunity presenting itself.

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How To Land A Top Job Salary

Money can't buy happiness! It's true. But that doesn't mean we don't try to improve our prospects. More money added to your kitty every month guarantees a comfortable life by providing the basic amenities in addition to a few luxuries.

As per the latest stats, physicians, lawyers, IT professionals, product managers, design managers, tax managers and architects are among the highest paying jobs. The median base salary for these positions ranges between $100,000 and $200,000. Hence, we find most people hankering for these positions.

However, it could be a major mistake. You could land a top job salary, but you might not be meant for the job or you might not be interested in the field you choose. The way to get a satisfying, high paying job is to prepare yourself for one, in your area of liking.

Upgrade your education 

An additional degree on your resume could be what you need to get your dream job. A bachelor's degree is the minimum qualification to have if you want a decent job and salary. A master's degree or Ph.D further raises your chances of securing a top job salary.

You can continue to educate yourself even as you work fulltime. There are many colleges offering online courses and part-time programs for working students. Also, enquire if your current employer has an incentive program in place to pay for at least half your education.

Expand your skill set 

With everything moving towards an interdisciplinary approach, cross-training is an asset. In addition to being trained in your area of specialization, you should acquire skills for tasks that are outside the parameters of your job. Why do companies prefer such individuals? Because such individuals are capable of taking up broader responsibilities and serve as backup too.

Develop soft skills 

Soft skills is an umbrella term for personality traits, personal habits, social etiquette and interpersonal skills. Educational qualifications and technical expertise alone will not get you the top job salary; you need to have the right soft skills.

 
Developing your soft skills makes your more visible among the crowd. You can work on your verbal and non-verbal communication, leadership skills, team management and listening skills.


Networking 

Getting a top job salary is also about working your way up the ladder through social contacts. Hence, you need to build a resourceful network both online and offline. You should attend conferences, job fairs and trade associations where you gain a lot of job insight and also get to meet the bigwigs of your industry. You can set up a blog and share your expertise there. Promote yourself by distributing a business card.

Gain experience 

In the bid to get a better salary, many switch jobs in a short span of time. It does not reflect good on your resume as it says a lot about your poor staying power. What employers are looking for are individuals who will be able to contribute to the overall growth of the company.

Hence, avoid hopping from one job to the other. Stay with a company and show progression.
When looking for a top job salary, first evaluate your options. Consider if the high paying jobs fit your interests. Do your research on the company, ask the right questions and put yourself up as the best candidate.

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