Sunday, March 11, 2007

Developing Your Persuasion Skills

There are people who never cease to amaze us. They have charisma that makes you believe just about whatever they say. These people have learned the art of persuasion. This skill is something that you definitely want to have yourself.

Persuasive skills are important for an individual who wants to aim for self-improvement. This is a skill that can definitely improve the way you relate to other people. This can even come more handy to people engaged in the field of sales or public relations.

Most people think attending personality development classes to make the change they want. That may work for some, but the important thing is you decide right here and now you will make the definite change.

The best thing to do is to develop your persuasion skills now!

Effective Ways to Develop Your Persuasion Skills

Consider these techniques in becoming more persuasive and you will surely go at great lengths.

Most of these utilize neuro-linguistic programming or NLP methods. This are words and methods that appeal to your audience’s visual, aural and kinesthetic senses.

1. Motivation Words
Use words that motivate people as you talk to them. Words such as “do this” or “you can” are helpful in convincing your listener’s mind. This has a subliminal effect in their minds. You can also maximize the words “today” and “now” in your sentences because these words suggest urgency to your listener; encouraging action.

2. Use Their Words
As you talk with your listener, you become familiar with the words they use. Once you learn your listener’s style, make sure you imitate it as you talk back. They may not notice it but it will make them identify themselves with you.

For example, a group of people may use the word “appropriate” instead of simply “proper.” Speak their language by using the word “appropriate” in your next sentences and you will see that persuasion comes easier.

3. Address the Person by the Name
Call a person by his or her name and you definitely have persuasion at work. Many salespeople are aware of this technique. However, it is best to use this with caution. It is not a matter of inserting the name at every chance possible. You have to know when to use it to get your desired outcome. Some people use this technique to drive a point. Some use their audience’s name in times that they want to get their attention. You have to know the right time to say it. It is best to wait for a time when you already develop rapport with the other party .

You may also ask new acquaintances how they would like to be called, especially if you are unsure. This immediately puts them at ease. Avoid also giving labels or nicknames to people you barely know.

4. Be Flexible
If you want to be effective in persuading people, you also need to change your language to adapt it your audience. You may have to accelerate or slow down the way you talk just the way the other person does. You can also study their facial expressions copy them while speaking with the other person. This makes them believe you are agreeing to their ideas or you are on the same side

This is what they call the mirroring technique. This aids in establishing a good rapport with people you just met. It helps in making the people relate with you and believe that a there is a connection between the two of you.

5. Believe in What You Say
Of course, the best way to persuade other people is knowing and believing what you say or stand for. The best way to improve your persuasive skills is knowing that you have something good in you that you can share to others.

Conclusion

Some people are gifted with persuasive skills, but this does not mean you will have a difficult time for yourself. Study and practice the techniques above and you will see how well you have improved and make others follow you.

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Seven Helpful Steps for Self-Motivation

You can list down as many dreams as you can! You may be dreaming of fulfilling your greatest desire, getting the best education that can be obtained by money, or buying the car of your dreams.

However, all will be futile if you cannot push yourself to strive hard to succeed in your goals. Motivation is an integral element in becoming successful in any undertaking.

Here are helpful tips in improving self-motivation:

1.Be health conscious.
Self-motivation will be at its all time high if you see to it that you get sufficient sleep, take the required vitamins, and have regular exercise. It is easier to perform your tasks if you are feeling vibrant and healthy.

2.Make your plan of action.
Spend some time writing down things that you like to do. Set your course of action. Identify which is most important.

3.Practice the 15-minute time rule.
Give yourself a fifteen-minute time limit with a timer. You can have the option to stop when the timer sets off. Slowly, you will realize that you are beginning to develop an interest in the task when the time is consumed.

4.Discover your “peak hours.”
Ask yourself: Am I a morning or afternoon person? Find out the time of the day where is you are most energetic. Do you have more energy during the morning? Then it would be advisable for you to take jobs that require more energy during the morning. Late afternoon hours should be reserved for jobs that require less thinking. If you have more energy during the evening, you can seek profitable work that will match your enthusiasm.

5.Stop being a perfectionist.
Aim for work accomplishment and not perfection. Striving for perfection may lead to procrastination. There is a tendency for you not to do the job because you have the feeling that you will not do a perfect job. Accept the fact that no person is perfect and this will motivate you.

6.Break down the task into smaller components.
You can be motivated if you do your task one step at a time.

7.At all times, see to it that you always pump yourself up. Give yourself enough time to motivate yourself. Cheer yourself up and be confident that you can accomplish your goal. It is always important to think positively about yourself.

So if you simply don’t have too much resolve to pump yourself and get motivated, follow these seven simple steps and get yourself going!