Daily News

  1. Determine who you are . This may be easier said than done because we are so highly influenced by marketing companies, the media, and peer pressure to be a certain way. We are often told what we "should" be and how we "should" behave. In my article Dare to Be an Original, I discuss how it can be daunting to "be your real self." It takes courage to explore, examine and define yourself, however, it is necessary to get to the core of who you are. 2. Accept yourself as you are . Understand that no one is perfect. We are all human and subject to universal weaknesses, flaws and imperfections. The challenge, as well as the fun, is to improve ourselves and become better. In accepting ourselves as we are, we can more easily be who we really are, or who we want to become. 3. Practice expressing what you genuinely think and feel . Instead of telling others what you think they want to hear, practice being honest and telling them how you really see things. Of cours...

  1. Build and maintain success habits . Indisputably, the most successful people in life have developed and continue to maintain good habits. These habits include: taking care of health both physical and mental; engaging in self-discipline and integrity and upholding a productive attitude. Tip : Most successful people track their habits. Knowing where and how much time they spend on a particular habit helps them prioritize better and spend their time more wisely. 2. Set goals . Decide what you want and go after it! In order to get what you want in life you must set goals. In the course of setting your goals, devise an action plan and then resolve to accomplish something each day to move towards it. As the famous eastern philosopher Lao Tzu put forth: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." In 1970, Dr. Edward Banfield of Harvard University, after extensive studies on success and priority setting, wrote that the most important determinant of personal and ...

Top 4 steps for acquiring good communication skills: 1. Know what you want to say and why. Understand clearly the purpose and intent of your message. Know to whom you are communicating and why. Consider any barriers you may encounter such as cultural differences or situational circumstances (gender, age, or economic biases). Ask yourself what outcome you want to achieve and the impression you want to leave. 2. How will you say it? We're all aware by now, that it's not always what you say, but how you say it that counts. Begin by making eye contact. You inspire trust and confidence when you look a person in the eyes when you speak. Second, be aware of your body language since it can say as much, or more, than your words. By standing with arms easily at your side you tell others that you are approachable and open to hearing what they have to say. If instead, your arms are crossed and shoulders hunched, it suggests disinterest or unwillingness to communicate. Good posture and an...

Get some exercise . Exercise is one of the quickest ways to pick yourself up because it stimulates circulation and releases the happy hormones, otherwise known as endorphins. Before you know it you will be ready to take on the world, or at least you'll feel that way! Have a catnap . If you're worn out and too tired to exercise, perhaps a nap is in order. It's surprising how a little fifteen or twenty-minute rest can be refreshing. Not only that, when we nap new ideas, insights and solutions come to the surface from our sub-conscious. Thomas Edison, Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy were all known to take catnaps to rejuvenate themselves. Listen to uplifting music . Music is the ultimate mood changer! It can take you from the depths of listlessness to the heights of exhilaration. As Plato observed: "Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul" . Take a break and have a cup of tea or coffee . There is a reason coffee breaks are mandatory a...

Maintain good physical health . This point is so basic it's often overlooked. Our physical health affects our emotional health much more than we realize. Make sure to eat well, exercise and get plenty of sleep. As Virgil said: "The greatest wealth is health." Learn to release anger and let go of grudges . Vent if you have to. Shake it off. Walk it off. Harboring anger or ill feelings builds emotional toxicity, which ultimately affects your overall health. "For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness".Anonymous Be aware . Look for the hidden message in negative or difficult situations. Learn from them. Experiencing adversity is meant to alert you to something or teach you a new skill. "Life deals you a lot of lessons, some people learn from them, some people don't." Brett Favre Keep your brain active . Don't let complacency or boredom set in. In order to feel alive and vibrant we need to keep our minds active by learning ...

  1. Acknowledge Your Uniqueness. Believe in yourself and know that you are one of a kind. In the words of Walt Whitman know:  "That you are here--that life exists, and identity; That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse."  There is no one else like you on this planet. No one looks like you, has the same talents, experiences, or perspective as you do. You are unique and are therefore here to make your unique contribution. If we each focus on what we bring into the world to share, there can be no comparisons, envy or regret. We are here to "contribute a verse" 2. Give it Your Best . When you do the best you can, with the best of what you've got, you can't help but feel good about yourself and that confidence comes through in everything that you do. Giving it your best makes you unafraid to take risks or step out of your comfort zone - both great confidence-builders. 3. Persevere . Everybody has setbacks and obstacles to contend with. Do...

01.Be a better listener . Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was considered one of the most charming women in the world because she cultivated the skill of being an exceptional listener. She was known for the way she would look a person in the eyes, hang on their every word, and make them feel important. There is nothing more appealing than having someone listen to you intently making you feel like you're the only person in the world.  02.Read more and expand your interests . The more you read and cultivate new interests, the more interesting you are to others. When you meet new people it allows you to share what you know and to exchange your views with them.  03.Be a good conversationalist . This relates to how much you read and know. Once you have much to contribute, learn how to talk about it with others. No one can read about or know everything, so it's refreshing to learn from others those things we don't have the time to about read ourselves. If you happen to be shy, join a g...