Learn to communicate

Smiling is an important social cue, and that other people will respond to smiles on both a conscious and subliminal level.

• Language. “Please,” “Thank You,” and “You’re Welcome,” demonstrate to others that you value their effort, thought, and/or generosity.
• Names. Always address others in business by their title (Mr., Mrs., or Ms.) and their last name, unless they request you use a given name or nickname.
• Attire and Dress. The way a person dresses can demonstrate their respect for whoever they are meeting.
• Eye Contact. Most people believe that those who do not make eye contact are lying or avoiding something, or that they lack the confidence to interact effectively with other people.
• Speaking. A clear, well-modulated speaking voice is an important social tool, and contributes to the ease of communication and a good first impression.
• Handshake. While the handshake should be firm, too much pressure shows a desire to dominate and can be a negative signal.

It is advisable to enable the waiting room option for new joiners so that they are made to enter one at a time and provided with a proper introduction.

It also takes care of the risk of your meeting getting crashed by someone suddenly.

• Video chats with multiple participants have a lot of cross-talk and people talking at the same time. This problem is compounded by dodgy internet speeds.

• It is possible to listen to only one person at a time, so one has to learn the art of the pause. Stopping and staying silent will allow others to calm down.

• Zoom also has a raise hand feature, which helps facilitate the meeting in an orderly fashion.

• The secret of receiving is in giving.
• Success isn't just measured in how much money you have, but how much you've given or helped others.
• Focus on helping people.

– Albert Einstein

Kindness, gratitude and even saying thank you makes you a better person instantly.

Keep the conversation moving at a comfortable but somewhat brisk pace. Don’t cut the conversation short if things are going well, but also avoid hitting uncomfortable lulls. So when the pace starts to die down, it's time to make an exit.

On your way out make sure that the other remembers you. 

Touch is a physical way of indicating acceptance and if properly timed it can be very charming. 

There's nothing wrong with a handshake when you introduce yourself, but beyond that, don't abuse touch. Stick to safe zones like the outside of the arm and upper back, and when in doubt, just stick to those handshakes.

Politeness refers to our tendency to be respectful of others and not aggressive. It's about having good manners based on traditional values.

Compassion refers to our tendency to be emotionally concerned about others and rests on progressive values.

Reconsider how you define success. Workaholics are always aiming to get ahead. But you also need to draw a boundary line that shows respect for your family life, and your physical and spiritual well-being.

After you have redefined success, consider how you want to invest your time and energy. 

There will always be more work to be done, but make a choice to spend your time elsewhere: with family, friends, or in your community. And when you spend time with your family or friends, do so with undivided attention.

If you are planning your first date with somebody, make sure to pay a special attention to the topics you want to engage in throughout the date. Keep the conversation smart and the exchange of experiences alive.

When going on a first date, make sure your mindset is a positive one, no matter what your previous dating experiences felt like. Embrace the fear of a possible failure while hoping for a pleasant outcome.

The Political landscapes across the globe were proving drastically wrong forecasts, with improbably wrong polling data.

The mainstream media, which is relying on social media for most of the data, was misleading because of it, and the political forecasters were not listening to what needed to be listened to.

By deriving polling data from social media and quoting trending soundbites from Twitter and Facebook, real voices that may not be trending and of any interest to politicians, lobbyists, activists or business interests are losing ground.

• Saying No Doesn’t Mean You’re a Bad Person: Saying no doesn't mean that you are being rude, selfish, or unkind. These are all unhelpful beliefs that make it hard to say no. Learning where these beliefs have come from is a great way to learn to let go of them.
• Knowing Your Value:  Learning to say no is realizing that you are valuable and choosing your own opinion about yourself over others.
• Is It Really Worth It?: Learning to say no is also deciding if saying yes is really worth it. Think about the anguish, stress, and resentment that saying yes has caused you. Wouldn't it be so much easier and straightforward to just say no in the first place?

• Be direct.
• Don't apologize and give all sorts of reasons.
• Be honest.
• Don't delay your response.
• Be polite.
• Practice saying no. This will get you feeling a lot more comfortable with saying no.
• Know your worth. Don't mind what other think of you.