Certainly, networking requires some self-promotion; otherwise, it would be nearly impossible to determine who has similar backgrounds and interests. Unfortunately, some see networking as an opportunity to take self-promotion to the extreme, giving everyone they meet the “hard sell.”
The goal of these hard sellers is to try to impress as many people as possible by talking about themselves as much as possible. This often produces the opposite of their intended results, as many are turned off by braggarts who show little interest in others.

The Hard Seller

While hard sellers will network with anyone willing to listen to them talk about their favourite subject (themselves), self-servers are only willing to network with those who they believe can help advance their careers. Once they target someone, they may also prove to be hard sellers.
However, if self-servers discover that the person they’re speaking with doesn’t have the professional clout they originally thought, they won’t waste another second before abruptly ending the conversation and searching for someone with the credentials necessary to further their career goals.

The Self Server

It’s imperative to demonstrate strong communication skills from the first interaction. Job seekers who use poor grammar, talk too much or too little or appear socially awkward or reluctant to answer questions about their background may raise concerns about their ability to communicate with coworkers, managers or clients once hired. 
While socializing may pose a challenge to introverts, it’s only the first of many hurdles they must clear during the job search process.

The Poor Communicator

Many people judge others on their appearance, and job seekers who attend networking events dressed sloppily or inappropriately are starting off on the wrong foot. Attire and grooming habits are often taken into account, as is the ability to give a proper handshake and personal introduction.
Also, if alcohol is served, overindulging can be seen as a red flag and could easily kill potential job offers. Job seekers should always be cognizant of how they’re being perceived by those with whom they hope to form lasting professional relationships.

The Bad First Impression

Those who fail to follow up, who call at the wrong time, or who simply forget to call prove that their reliability is questionable, and recommending them for employment becomes a risk if they were to show similar unreliability at work.
Also, sending a thank-you note to those who go out of their way to help is always a good practice, whereas failing to acknowledge their effort may appear selfish or inconsiderate.

Failure To Follow Up

From resume writing to interview questions, Our ultimate guide to help you find the job you love

teamwork

Teamwork

leadershipandmanagement

Leadership & Management

career

Career

communication

Communication

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

A Job Seeker's Guide

Let’s look at a few networking mistakes job seekers often make, and how they can damage their prospects

Regardless of the role or industry, nearly every job requires networking in some form in order to be successful. No matter how talented a business owner

5 Networking Mistakes Job Seekers Make

There are only two communication states: actively listening, and not really listening. Active listening requires us to understand, interpret, and evaluate what we're being told.Our attention should be on the speaker and when we get the urge to say something, we stop this urge and instead concentrate on what's being said.

Active Listening

Active listening is the key to empathy and relationship building but the authors explain that by actively listening — we:<ul><li>encourage people to open up</li><li>reduce the chances for misunderstanding</li><li>are more able to resolve problems and conflicts</li><li>build trust further</li></ul>

The Importance of Active Listening

"Speaking is one person reaching out, and listening is another person accepting and taking hold. Together, they form communication, and this is the basis of all human relationships."

<ol><li>Ignorance and delusion</li><li>Reluctance</li><li>Bias and prejudice</li><li>Lack of interest</li><li>Opinion of the speaker</li><li>Own feelings</li><li>Wrong time and wrong place</li></ol>

The 7 Common Barriers to Active Listening

<ol><li>Acceptance - means trying to avoid expressing agreement or disagreement, at least initially. </li><li>Honesty - means that you're down to being open about your reactions, similar to acceptance — honest reactions given too soon can stifle further explanation on the part of the speaker</li><li>Empathy - is your ability to understand their situation on an emotional level </li><li>Specifics - refers to the need to deal in details rather than generalities</li></ol>

The 4 Components of Active Listening

<ol><li>Minimize external distractions</li><li>Face the speaker</li><li>Maintain eye contact</li><li>Focus on the speaker</li><li>Be open-minded</li><li>Be sincerely interested</li><li>Have sympathy, feel empathy</li><li>Assess the emotion, not just the words</li><li>Respond appropriately</li><li>Minimize internal distractions</li><li>Avoid "me" stories</li><li>Don't be afraid of silence</li><li>Take notes</li><li>Practice emotional intelligence</li><li>Check your understanding</li></ol>

How To Improve Your Active Listening Skills

Reflective listening is concerned with how you process what you've heard. All four components of active listening are put into work towards creating reflective responses. The main principles of active listening are:<ul><li>Listen more than you talk</li><li>Deal with personal specifics, not impersonal generalities</li><li>Decipher the feelings behind the words to create a better understanding of the issues</li><li>restate and clarify what you've heard</li><li>Understand the speaker's point of view and avoid responding from your own viewpoint</li><li>Respond with acceptance and empathy, not coldly or with fake concern</li></ul>

The Main Principles of Reflective Listening

Understanding more about the common barriers to active listening – and how to best overcome these – are the biggest lessons you'll learn from this book.

This updated and expanded second edition of the The Art of Active Listening: How to Double Your Communication Skills in 30 Days provides a user-friendly introduction to the subject Taking a clear structural framework, it guides the reader through the subject's core elements. A flowing writing style combines with the use of illustrations and diagrams throughout the text to ensure the reader understands even the most complex of concepts. This succinct and enlightening overview is a required reading for all those interested in the subject . We hope you find this book useful in shaping your future career & Business.

books

Books

Lewis Lyons

The Art of Active Listening

The data on the survival rate of businesses showed that 22% of small businesses fail within the first year, 32% for the first two years, and 40% for the first three years of business.But why?The lack of funding or capital is usually the main reason why small businesses fail because the operating expenses are costly from payroll to supplies to rent and more.Moreover, many don't understand how to price products to create profit, and more often than not is that they don't pay attention to their cash flows.

The First Reason Why Small Businesses Fail

Another mistake that many entrepreneurs make is that they don't have good business plans. A business plan must include the following: business summary, competitor and market analysis, business model and operations plan, marketing and financial plan, and product and service offerings.A business plan will give you an understanding of the industry and competition. It solidifies your <a href="https://www.shopify.com/blog/business-model">business model</a> before offering any products to customers and shows possible revenue streams so you can plan ahead

The Second Reason Why Small Businesses Fail

Weak management.Many enter into the business world because they're passionate about something but rarely do they get into business with a passion for human resource management and operations.A survey showed that 52% of small businesses have labor quality problems. Coincidence? I think not.Without letting go of the wheel and handing it over to someone with experience and strength, you won't be able to make up for your shortcomings.

The Third Reason Why Small Businesses Fail

Small businesses lack the ability to understand their customers because they are often not prepared to meet the marketing demands of their company.Poor marketing can result in difficulty in determining costs and the inability to reach a target audience and conversion goals.Marketing is crucial for any early-stage business. If you do not understand the basic marketing strategies and how to apply them, how will you be able to create and implement successful campaigns?

The Fourth Reason Why Small Businesses Fail

<ol><li>Develop a growth mindset</li><li>Set doable goals</li><li>Learn why customers are leaving your business and establish a feedback system</li><li>Identify your target audience</li><li>Perform a SWOT analysis to get back on track</li><li>Track your finances weekly instead of monthly </li><li>Get funding if you need it </li><li>Do a close analysis of what's working for you and what's not; be prepared to make drastic changes</li><li>Invest in marketing </li><li>Be proactive</li></ol>

How To Fix A Struggling Business

This article allows us to understand why businesses dry up so easily and how we'll be able to get back on the path to success. It is important to keep optimistic so think about it this way: A business down turning is not the end, instead, it is a learning opportunity to start new and rebuild.

Want to bring your business back to life? Learn why businesses fail and the steps you need to take to save them in this article.

Discover the world of business and economics.

economics

Economics

business

Business

How to Turn Around a Struggling Business: Tips and Real-Life Examples

<ul><li>How are you feeling about goals, plans and desires that you had this year?</li><li>Are you on track to receive and achieve them?</li></ul>

Looking Back

<ul><li>What are the desires that you thought of during that time?</li><li>How do you feel as you manifest your goals</li><li>What the actions you are taking towards those desires</li></ul>

Meditate & Introspect 

What are your limiting Beliefs and Blocks. Use the below prompts-<ul><li>Thoughts</li><li>Mental Chatter</li><li>Blocks</li><li>Negative Beliefs</li></ul>

Limiting Beliefs

<ul><li>Daily Dreaming and Devotion</li><li>Energetic Embodiment</li><li>Impress your dreams into your consciousness</li><li>Consistent Inspired Action</li><li>Trust in Timing and Unfolding : Patience</li><li>Surrender: Do your duty and then leave the things you can't control to the world</li><li>If you don't get it trust that it's not the right time now or something better is coming your way</li></ul>

Daily Manifestation Plan

It's time to get clear on your 2022 dreams, goals and desires and your plan to bring them to life! Learn how to embody the energy of your desires and become magnetic to all that you desire. This training includes: - Evaluating your current manifestation plan - A clearing meditation - Connecting with your desires manifestations - Clearing any blocks to your desires and goals - Formulating your manifestation plan Enjoy and I can't wait to hear what magic you are creating! Any questions or comments, please contact: hello@chicmoney.com.au

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

It's time to get clear on your 2022 dreams, goals and desires and your plan to bring them to life!

Learn how to embody the energy of your desires and become magnetic to all that you desire.

This training includes:

- Evaluating your current manifestation plan 
- A clearing meditation 
- Connecting with your desires manifestations
- Clearing any blocks to your desires and goals
- Formulating your manifestation plan 

Enjoy and I can't wait to hear what magic you are creating! 

Any questions or comments, please contact: hello@chicmoney.com.au

Chic Money

Creating Your 2022 Manifestation Plan

A personal annual review is an opportunity to step back and take stock of your hits, misses, and learnings from the past 12 months.

<ol><li>What went well? : It contains Success, Category, Why this matters to me.</li><li>What didn’t go so well? : It contains Disappointments, Category, What went wrong?, How do you feel about it?</li><li>What did you learn? : It contains Lesson, Context, What are you going to do with this knowledge?</li><li>What is your ‘theme’ for the new year?</li></ol>

Parts of Annual Review

<ul><li>Work</li><li>Health</li><li>Friends and family</li><li>Travel</li><li>Learning</li><li>Finances</li></ul>

Potential Life Categories

You can break this section down into a few different levels:Purpose: Where do you want to focus your time and energy the most this year? eg. This year, my main focus will be on ... Outcomes: When you look back on the new year, what are 2–3 big accomplishments you’d ideally like to achieve? Alongside these ‘big goals’ what are some smaller ‘must haves’ that you need in order to feel successful? eg. At the end of 2021, I will have accomplished...Theme: What is this the ‘year of’ for you? Is it the year of connection? Experimentation? Creativity? eg. This is the year of _____________.

New Year's Theme

Set actionable goals for your outcomes and priorities. This contains - <ul><li>Outcome</li><li>Category</li><li>Action required</li><li>Deadline</li></ul>

New Year's Theme (Optional Step)

Whether your past 12 months have been strained by stress or full of success, it’s worth it to take the time to do a personal annual review.

productivity

Productivity

timemanagement

Time Management

How to do an annual review: A simple-self evaluation template for 2021

<ul><li>Start by getting into the present moment. Meditate or journal about how you’re feeling right now.</li><li>Use question prompts to start reflecting</li></ul>

Part 1: How to Kickstart Your Personal Review

Now it’s time to answer questions that’ll help you organize your thoughts and feelings. You don’t need to answer them chronologically. You can even skip the ones that don’t feel right. However, I’ve found that the questions I felt resistance toward shined a light on something I tried to ignore.<ul><li>How have you lived your life in the past twelve months?</li><li>What residual feelings do you have about the past year?</li><li>What were your 2020 highlights?</li><li>When did you feel your heart most open this year?</li><li>What moment did you feel most alive this year?</li><li>What are you most proud of? Why?</li><li>What were your 2020 low lights?</li></ul>

Questions for Reflection Part 1

<ul><li>What was most challenging for you, and how did it make you feel?</li><li>How have you experienced crisis, loss, and pain this year?</li><li>What made you feel hurt, angry, or sad? Why?</li><li>What have your highlights and low lights this year taught you? What are the life lessons you want to remember?</li><li>How have you grown and developed last year?</li><li>What were your three biggest work accomplishments? What contributed to them?</li><li>Are there any other goals apart from the work you achieved that you are proud of?</li><li>Have you developed any healthy habits you want to keep?</li><li>Have you developed any new skills? What helped you learning them?</li></ul>

Still More Questions for Reflection

<ol><li>What happens when you really show up in the world? What are you really longing for?</li><li>What would a dream year look like for you in 2021?</li><li>What does success in 2021 mean for you?</li><li>What three big goals will you accomplish next year?</li><li>What three skills will you acquire?</li><li>We are now in December 2021. You integrated all your experience and learning from 2020, and 2021 was the most incredible year of your life — surpassing even your wildest expectations. With all your energy, write about your year — what happened and how did you feel?</li></ol>

Part 2: How to Make the Most From Your Insights(Develop bigger aspirations)

<ul><li>How do your goals for the new year translate into actionable habits and processes?</li><li>What habits, behaviors, or attitudes will you need to develop or adopt next year?</li><li>What things or habits do you need to stop doing?</li><li>Break down your dreams into actionable processes, summarize your reflection on one clean sheet. This summary will be the anchor. Place it somewhere clearly visible.</li></ul>To finish your annual review and close the year behind you, write down your answer to:<ul><li>How are you feeling right now? How do you feel about the new year?</li></ul>

Part 2 (contd.): I reached my goal because I focused on the process instead of the outcome.

You were forced to cancel travel plans and minimize social interactions. You’ve likely spent more time with yourself than ever before. And while time alone might have brought your most unpleasant…

How To Do Your Personal Annual Review and Get the Most from 2021

<ul><li>You are going to die, but don't fear death, fear leading a life unlived.</li><li>Use the fact that you could die anytime to create a sense of urgency that will propel you forward. Love harder, work harder, be more grateful that you are alive than ever.</li><li>Don't be a waste of oxygen, potential, resources, and space. Do you want to be in your death bed and all your what ifs and unexecuted ideas be there looking at you with a disappointed face?</li><li>Seize and cherish every moment of your life. YOLO.</li></ul>

Don't Fear Death

Episode 274 - Are you afraid of dying? Let's talk about it and let me try to change your mind on why that shouldn't be your biggest fear and what should be.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mindset Mentor - Don't Fear Death

The best nap is the one in which you fall asleep quickly and stay asleep for the shortest amount of time, while still waking refreshed. You can experiment with the napping techniques below to see what works for you. Here are six ways to become a successful power napper:

Top 6 Power Nap Tips

Assuming that you follow a fairly normal nighttime sleep schedule, prime time for power naps is typically in the middle of the day from about 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. when your energy level dips due to a rise in the hormone <a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-take-melatonin-3015192">melatonin</a>. Try to schedule your dedicated nap time during those hours.

Choose the Best Time for a Nap

You might not always be able to get your power nap in during the optimal mid-day hours, and that's okay. But if you miss your prime nap time window, be sure not to take your nap within three hours of bedtime as it may <a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-do-naps-affect-sleep-at-night-3014731">interfere with important night time sleep</a>.

Avoid Napping Before Bed

When taking a nap longer than 30 minutes, you run the risk of heading into deep sleep, which can leave you feeling tired and groggy. Most people find that their optimal power nap is achieved somewhere between 20-30 minutes. Some people even find naps as short as 1 to 2 minutes to be effective. Experiment with power naps of different durations to find what works best for you.

Commit to a 30-Minute Maximum

When you're tired, it can be easy to sleep past your 30-minute maximum. To avoid <a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/effects-of-sleeping-too-much-4580614">oversleeping</a> (and the grogginess that can follow), set an alarm to wake you. While many dedicated power nappers claim that they have trained themselves to nap only for the amount of time they set aside, it's always best to have a backup plan.

Set an Alarm

In most areas of the world, mid-day naps occur during sunlight hours, which is not the most conducive atmosphere for effective sleep. To provide optimal darkness during daylight hours, use a face mask or eye pillow. Opting for darkness can not only help you fall asleep faster, but it can make your sleep more effective.

Opt for Darkness

Just as darkness can make for more effective naps, a quiet napping space is also a must. Some people find that they need complete quiet to nap effectively, while others enjoy the hum of white noise which can not only be calming but can also help block out other disturbances. It's also best to assure that you will not be disturbed for the duration of your nap.

Find a Quiet Place

While most experts agree that effective naps can be a healthier option than relying on another cup of coffee, some people swear by using the power of a quick snooze and some caffeine together. A "<a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-does-a-caffeine-nap-work-3014978">caffeine nap</a>," or as some affectionately call a "nappuccino," entails getting a quick caffeine boost followed by a power nap immediately after. The theory behind caffeine naps is that the alertness boosting effect of caffeine kicks in somewhere between 10 and 20 minutes after its ingested leaving just the right amount of time for a power nap.

BONUS: Try a Caffeine Power Nap

A power nap can turn your day around, make you more productive, and even improve your health. Try these naptime tips to make the most of your nap.

health

Health

habits

Habits

𝘛𝘰𝘱 𝘛𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘕𝘢𝘱𝘴

“Sometimes what didn't work out for you really worked out for you.Read it again.”

education

Learning & Education

Hard work

Nearly two years into a global pandemic, uncertainty has profoundly unsettled both our personal and political lives. Some of its sources are epistemic: How long will vaccine immunity last? Do rising prices threaten economic recovery? Others are sharply existential: How will I pay rent next month? Will I see my loved one again? At no other moment in the twenty-first century has there been such widespread unease about what the future holds. Uncertainty is perhaps never more consequential than where it intersects with political power.

What's in a Word

Leading this issue’s forum, Sheila Jasanoff, pioneering scholar of science and technology studies, argues that public policy could benefit from a much more serious acknowledgment of uncertainty. In place of the hubris of technocratic expertise, Jasanoff calls for “technologies of humility”—institutional mechanisms, including greater citizen participation, for incorporating a wider range of experience and views in our schemes of democratic governance.Respondents to Jasanoff consider other causes of pandemic mismanagement and ask whether humility is the best response.

Uncertainty

Other contributors extend the discussion of uncertainty beyond COVID-19, from philosophy to anthropology. Together they make clear that uncertainty need not be paralyzing. As Simon Torracinta observes, the late social scientist Albert O. Hirschman saw it as an opportunity. Perfect planning is impossible, he thought, but that shouldn’t stop us from trying to build a more just world.CONTRIBUTORS: Sheila Jasanoff, Jana Bacevic, Caley Horan, Annie Howard, Lily Hu, Michael D. Jackson, Jay S. Kaufman, Oded Na'aman, Zeynep Pamuk, Simon Torracinta, Alexandre White

From Philosophy to Anthropology. 

How philosophical thinking can make truthfulness possible even when the truth can barely be fathomed.

problemsolving

Problem Solving

entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Imagine the Worst - Boston Review

Find  Self Improvement Tips - Curated from popular Books like Atomic Habits, 48 Rules of Power, Deep Work, Rich Dad Poor Dad and way more!