Be Likable: Anyone Can Do It

Everyone wants to be positively connected with other people because we are social creatures. Even the ones that are introverts, still want to be liked. Of course you do not need to aim to be liked by everyone possible. You are not a jar of Nutella. There are a couple tricks that you can try to get more people to see you in a favorable light. First off, call people by their name because everyone likes to hear their own name and it shows them that you are interested in them as a person. Another great way to put yourself in a good light is to be more positive. Being negative will not get you any friends. We're evolutionarily programmed to recognize and feel better about the people who help us as well as the people we help. As a result, the more you help other people--and the more they help you--the stronger your bonds will become and the more likable you'll be. Another characteristic of likable people is that they are reliable and consistent. People like to know what they can expect. When you say that you are going to have the web development project done, then have it done by that deadline. Otherwise, you will not be taken seriously. That skill will also help you in the long run in your career.

Distractions by Technology

Are you constantly distracted by the technology in your life? We all have good intentions when we sit down in front of YouTube to look up to do something and then three hours later, we are looking at giraffes hopping around. What about the phone in your pocket that somehow ends up on the desk? There is a constant flood of information that comes in through all different channels such as mobile and web applications. It takes a lot of energy to be able to filter all of it and decide which of the information is relevant. It also takes a lot of time. If you are business professional or someone that relies on technological tools, do yourself a favor and take the time to find the tools that work for you so you do not end up wasting time and energy. As great as these tools can be, make sure to make time to completely unplug and stop looking at a screen. This means that no communication devices at the dinner table or in the bedroom.

The Science of Being Happy

Well it is a good thing that researchers do these types of studies because we would just be milling about anyways. They have found that emotions can be transferred by means of smell, both negative and positive emotions. This would suggest that you are better off hanging out with the happy people. Besides, they can teach you a couple things and just fun to be around. Money can also make you happier, but only if spent right. You should collect experiences not stuff. The experiences will vary from person to person but it is the stories that we live with. A plethora of studies have shown a correlation between happiness and exercise, adequate sleep, and a healthy diet. Throw in 25 pushups a day, and you're doing vastly better than just sitting around. To get better sleep, avoid using electronic devices, mobile applications or television in the bedroom just prior to hitting the sheets. You should also try investing more time in friendships. There is a strong correlation between happiness and social ties.

Leave a Dent in This World

Does it ever feel like you are floating along in this world? We have all had days when it was just going through the motion of living, and sometimes it ended up being weeks or months. Your mind has probably been fried with mobile applications and websites full of cats. I got together several ideas of how you can make a dent and impact on the world and give yourself purpose in the meantime. When someone is talking with you, give your undivided attention and put away your phone. It will really show that you respect them. If you remember people's names, it will make them feel valued and leaves a pretty good impression. Always offer to help because just the offer itself will speak volumes about you. Another great way to make an impression is to give more than you get. The high standards that you set for yourself will reflect in your work and could also inspire other people around you. Something as simple as a smile and eye contact can really go a long way when you are connecting with another person.

Making the Most Out of the Phone Call

The younger generation seems to have a hard time with communicating with people face to face or even on the phone. This is interesting considering that there are so many different communication services out there. Before you even make that phone call, make sure to have a positive mindset. Get those worries out of your mind and know that you can nail it. It is just as important to be clear about why you are calling the other person. If you ramble on, the other person will get bored and not pay attention. Once you have their attention, don't forget to smile. It will make you sound more appealing and pleasant. People also tend to have a hard time saying no when they are smiling. If you feel the flow of the conversation waning, try standing up to add more energy into it and it might help you transition to your next point that you want to talk about. When you finish up the conversation, wrap it up by summarizing the point that were covered to ensure that everything was talked about. You should also make sure that you take notes during the conversation so that you can send a confirmatory email and also have a record for yourself.

Language Learning With Technology

Technology has made leaps and bounds as far as bringing people from different countries together. With internet phone services and Skype having the translation software, the language walls are being broken down. What about actually learning the language? Just because we have technology to translate what someone is saying as they are saying it, it doesn't mean that it excuses us from learning the language. There are certain things that cannot be translated by a program and need to be understood in the native tongue. I think we should be using the technology is learn the languages in all the communication areas. Technology can also help in improvement of writing skills. Word processing software promotes not only composition but also editing and revising in ways that streamline the task of writing. Desktop publishing and web-based publishing allow the work to be taken beyond the classroom into a virtual world that allows more constructive interactions.