Why Celebrating Small Triumphs Matter

Of all the things that can increase inner professional life, the most important is making progress in meaningful work. Celebrating small wins can give you the boost you need to be reminded that you are constantly making steady progress. Furthermore, it highlights that you are not behind on your goals and that what you are doing is enough.

This is how it works:

Action –> Result –> Feeling good –> More action –> Continued result

Small triumphs come in exist in different forms such as learning a new language, helping others in need, witnessing growth in a houseplant, working out for the first time, and cooking with ingredients that you grew yourself. Celebrate these small triumphs using the following creative ways.

#1: TAKE A WELLNESS BREAK

There is an urgency culture that exists in our current society. We often hear “hurry”, “be quick”, or “too late”. It is no wonder that many people find it hard to rest.

Rest is vital. You earned a day off! We are not meant to be rushing all the time. Having a personal day will help avoid burnout, realign your goals, and prioritize self-care.

#2: SHARE YOUR SUCCESS

Create a group chat where you and your friends can share work-related stories of successes and failures. When anyone shares a small triumph with the group, you can react in a celebratory fashion. If you are having an unpleasant day, your friends can provide you support and understanding.

#3: WRITE DOWN YOUR FEELINGS

Bust out your journal and write down all your feelings regarding your progress. Do not forget to include the important details of your triumph such as the issue that you solved. You can use this journal entry to motivate you or to help you land the coveted promotion.

Related Article: Celebrate These “Small” Financial Achievements

#4: ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PROGRESS

Acknowledging your progress requires a change in your thinking. It is alright if you fail to produce the results you want or if you make mistakes along the way. If you are doing something to make a progress, you should be proud of yourself.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#5: GIVE A YOURSELF A SIMPLE GIFT

Singapore’s longest-running annual sale called GSS ran from June 6 to July 7, 2021. During this period, Singaporeans were able to pamper themselves while enjoying great deals. A good way to reward yourself is to get a simple gift.

Whether you want to purchase a box of cupcakes or a new shirt, preferences will play a role in what is perceived as valuable. Remember that the value of the gift must be congruent with your point of progress.

#6: CREATE HELPFUL HABITS

You need to learn how to win consistently to make progress on a daily basis. This can be accomplished by using helpful habits. These habits come naturally to you because you have programmed your mind and body. Thus, you must strive to establish habits that ensure daily wins.

It is essential to acknowledge and celebrate your small triumphs to fuel your mental strength and keep going despite what you are facing. These triumphs will help you lean into the joy of why you are doing what you are doing.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Here’s how to become a better listener

listening to a colleague at work

Have you ever found yourself zoning off when someone is speaking? Well, that’s because the average person has an attention capacity of only eight seconds.

With so many electronic stimuli vying for your attention and so many duties at the workplace, it’s difficult to truly focus on someone else’s words.

Listening is also difficult since we are frequently preoccupied with ourselves. When you go into a conversation with only your target in mind, your goal is to control and manage the conversation so that you come out on top of the other party. But it’s critical to be receptive to new knowledge, even if it’s not what you’re seeking then.

Here’s how to become a better listener.

Ask questions

Asking more inquiries than you offer answers is one of the easiest methods to improve your listening skills. When you pose questions, you create a friendly environment for others to tell you information. Listening with genuine intent implies you will be open to being completely wrong, and you should be okay with that in a discourse.

Don’t interrupt

We’re sure you wouldn’t want to be in the midst of a statement when the other person opens their mouth repeatedly, breaking into your unfinished sentences. It’s anxiety-inducing and probably made you feel compelled to speed up what you’re saying just to get your message out.

When a speaker is interrupted to agree, dispute, or debate, the speaker loses track of what they are expressing. It’s quite aggravating. Thus, in a conversation, try postponing whatever you want to say until the other individual is finished. Wait for your time to come if it’s not something that urgent that you must disrupt.

Put judgments aside
a woman unhappy with her coworker

Image Credits: careercontessa.com

When done correctly, listening is an act of sensitivity. You’re attempting to see the world from the perspective of another person and to comprehend their feelings. That won’t happen if you’re passing judgment on the other person while they’re speaking.

Because you will be conveying all kinds of minute nonverbal signs that you have a viewpoint about what they’re asserting, it will stifle the dialogue. Folks will start opening up to you if you approach the conversation to discover their point of view without passing judgment since they will have the confidence over time that you will always appreciate what they have to say.

Be comfortable with silence

Silence might be uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be. We frequently try to fill the void left by silence by talking non-stop, but this just serves to keep the conversation from progressing any further or more meaningfully.

People can think and acquire insights regarding whatever is being talked about when there are pauses. It allows us to process new data and evaluate how it affects us. It also enables us to think about what to say next and what follow-up questions to ask. This gives us the ability to feel and be honest with our innermost thoughts.

Because we communicate so much more online these days, listening might feel like a lost skill sometimes. That’s unfortunate, because being an active listener may benefit you in all aspects of your life, including your interaction with pals, family, and coworkers. Do you want to improve your listening skills? Review the advice we’ve provided in this post and see if you can start implementing them in your conversational routine.

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How to give feedback to our bosses

employer and employee conversation

Giving feedback to your manager or supervisor can be immensely nerve-wracking.

You want to give them feedback so they can change, but the power imbalances in your workplace might make an already complex task appear laden with more complications. Furthermore, there are so many examples of feedback gone bad that it’s difficult to know where to begin.

That’s why we’ve written this article so that we can all learn how to give feedback to our bosses.

Practice

When it comes to giving a face-to-face evaluation to your boss, rehearse your speech first. Request that a buddy or a trustworthy coworker observe you giving feedback. Pay attention to their comments and make changes to your speech depending on their suggestions.

Be impartial

If you want to reap the most out of the feedback session, you must be unbiased when offering suggestions to your superior. Detailed and direct observation, not your prejudiced conviction, can impact your assessment of their performance. Maintaining objectivity might also help you avoid emotional conflict if your boss rejects your statements.

Ask before you dive
coworkers talking

Image Credits: theladders.com

If you’re going to give your employer some constructive comments, ask if you can do so first. This is a standard courtesy that alerts your boss of the possibility of unfavorable comments. Prep a harsh comment with two sides of acknowledgments once they’ve agreed to receive input.

That is, expressing gratitude first to make managers feel you are appreciating their initiatives. Then, get down to business with the nature of the problem. Don’t pretend to know everything about the matter or discuss what you would do if you were the boss; this can make any individual feel defensive. Rather, think of feedback as a reflection of your perspectives.

During a performance review

Performance appraisals are an awesome chance to provide constructive criticism to your boss. In a performance evaluation, your boss will ask for your input on specific areas. Although you may be the topic of an assessment at times, addressing your connection with your boss is an integral part of it.

Your manager may also ask you to send an email rather than initiate conversations directly. You can take the next steps knowing that your manager desires honest reviews to keep tabs on overall workplace dynamics. As part of the performance evaluation, some companies may also provide employees the option to provide feedback through a staff survey so take advantage of that avenue to express your views.

Partnering with someone allows you to gain valuable insight into their abilities. This is particularly true with your supervisor, whom you are likely to encounter in a variety of contexts, including group briefings and one-on-one discussions. Giving your employer feedback, also known as upward feedback, is a difficult skill to learn. But your insight can not only aid your boss but also strengthen your professional relationship if delivered correctly and mindfully. Consider the abovementioned tips as you navigate uncharted waters.

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How to negotiate a higher salary after a job offer

two ladies conversing and smiling

You will almost certainly agree that salaries and benefits are the most important factors to consider when contemplating job offers.

Salary negotiating, like price-bargaining, necessitates a fundamentally different approach. Instead of accepting the initial wage offer made, you should learn certain strategies and techniques to help you enhance the offer.

So without further ado, let’s get started on how to negotiate a higher salary after a job offer.

Start high

One basic tenet of pay bargaining is to offer the company a number that is somewhat greater than your target. This way, even if they lower their offer, you will still have a wage offer you can embrace. If you provide a wage range, the company will almost certainly skew toward the lower end of the scale, so be sure the lowest value you submit is still a good number you can settle for.

Consider your value
an Asian man in an interview

Image Credits: freepik.com

Your contribution to the organization may be greater than the post for which you are seeking. For example, if you interview for the role of Senior Business Development Manager and have 10 years of experience, you can expect a certain range of pay. But if you qualify for the same position with the standard expertise, plus the benefits of financial background or even content-creating skills, you will be bringing additional core competencies and significance to the salary discussion.

Understand the restrictions

Even if your potential employer likes you and believes you should get all you want, they might not grant it to you. This is because they may be bound by certain restrictions, such as salary ceilings, that no measure of the debate can change. It’s your responsibility to discover where they’re willing to compromise and where they’re not.

However, start dates, holiday entitlements, and performance bonuses can be variables. If you’re dealing with a smaller firm that has never recruited someone in your position before, you may have some leeway with the initial wage offer or job description, but not with anything else. The clearer you grasp the restrictions, the better you will be at directing the negotiation conversation.

When an employer issues an offer letter, they will normally present you with a pay and benefits package, together with a projected salary. You may choose to bargain for more compensation if you do not believe the salary matches your qualifications, level of expertise, and accomplishments. Knowing how to negotiate pay proposals is a critical skill that will help you get paid appropriately for future work. To accomplish this, nonetheless, demands prep and practice, just like any other skill. As you rejoice in a new job opportunity presented, keep the aforementioned suggestions in mind.

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How to improve your public speaking skills

a young Asian man speaking publicly

One of the most powerful methods to get your point through, display your expertise, and influence people is through public speaking. It can also assist you in improving your written and social communication skills.

However, the majority of people are afraid of public speaking to some extent. As a result, honing your public speaking skills can give you a competitive advantage in your job by allowing you to seize opportunities that others may pass up.

Just keep in mind that the many individuals who appear entirely at ease in front of large crowds now once had severe stage fright. You can always steadily develop your skills to give talks and presentations in the future by adopting various public speaking techniques into your practice right now.

Keep reading if you want to know how to improve your public speaking skills.

Be personable

The best thing about public speaking is that it’s all about you. People are interested in whatever you have to express, so be sure to include some personal flair. Your audience will lose attention if you give a monotonous discourse. To make a talk feel like a friendly chat between friends, use personal anecdotes or a literary style you’re comfortable with.

Use storytelling

Humans are hardwired to listen to narratives. It stimulates the same sections of our brain as if we were witnessing the events personally. This is how we all react to storytelling; there are no major cultural differences.

This implies that you can use the power of narrative to interact with anyone. You only have a minute to make a solid first impression on your listeners when you begin your talk. Consider a tale, joke, or inquiry that might stimulate their interest and encourage them to listen further.

Pace yourself right
recording on iPhone

Image Credits: unlockboot.com

If you speak too quickly, you will come across as anxious and difficult to comprehend. If you speak too slowly, you risk sending your listeners to sleep. Present one minute of your presentation and record it on your phone to determine your speech speed.

Then, count how many words you said at that point. For a talk, the most efficient rate of speech is roughly 140 words per minute, which is slightly slower than usual ordinary conversation. Slowing down your speech will also help you express yourself more accurately. Don’t let muttering cloud your message.

Prepare and practice

Bodily sensations such as shaky hands and thumping hearts are experienced by everyone. Do not link these emotions to the fear of doing badly or possibly embarrassing yourself because some nerves are beneficial.

The rush of adrenaline that causes you to perspire also makes you more primed and attentive to function adequately. And if you need a tip, we believe preparation is the most effective method to combat tension. Make sure you review your notes numerous times before the big day. Once you’ve gotten a feel for the material, video-record yourself or have a buddy review your delivery.

It is possible to conquer your public speaking anxiety, even if you are a social hermit or have anxiety problems. Public speaking will also increase your self-esteem in the long run, and you could even grow to love it. Consider the advice above, and if you still want to learn more about how to enhance your public speaking skills, we suggest enrolling in a public speaking program.

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