Alex Shalman

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 07:50

1. Organization. Understand the work that is expected of you and how long it will take to complete. Plan accordingly, be brutally honest with yourself and your abilities.
2. Consistency. Plan accordingly and frequently. Adjust the plans if needed.
3. Focus. Do not underestimate the value of focus. With consistent organization, you will be more motivated and confident.

Pick The Brain

Monday, 15 February 2010 08:26

1. Tip 1. Plan to be spontaneous. Some people make a list of potential topics they can 'fall back on' if the conversation starts running out of steam.
2. Tip 2. It's (not) all about looks. Wear clothes you feel suit you. It might sound obvious, but feeling well-groomed actually makes us feel better about everything. 
3. Tip 3. Desperation is not a good strategy. It's just a date. If the other person is put off by you saying 'the wrong thing', then they weren't dating material for you anyway. Desperation is driven by anxiety and fear and other people pick up on it. 
4. Tip 4. Remember your date is human, too. Dave was so preoccupied by his own dating anxiety that he didn't even stop to think that Kate might be anxious too. Taking the burden off yourself and working to help the other person relax has a two-way benefit. It helps them feel special and more at ease and diverting your focus away from yourself makes you feel more calm and confident.
5. Tip 5. Calm yourself right down – and that's right down. Lack of dating confidence can also be described as 'dating anxiety' and what's the antidote to anxiety? Why, calm, of course. Before your date, take time to relax and breathe deeply.
6. Tip 6. Flattery can get you everywhere. "That's a beautiful dress you're wearing." – then say why it's beautiful on them – "It really brings out the lovely colour of your eyes..."

Dumb Little Man

Saturday, 13 February 2010 00:00

1. Observation. Observation is important to every profession. Observe the world around you for clues and trends.
2. Communicate effectively. This means both verbally and non-verbally.  Learn to use your body language to garner respect and loyalty so that you can communicate more effectively.
3. Comfort for your clients and customers is supremely important. There is a "comfort dividend," only now recognized, and it is repaid by having customers and clients who want to visit more frequently, stay longer, and increase face time with you.
4. Move to action. Nothing makes a customer or client feel more attended to than your movement to action. 

Dumb Little Man

Friday, 12 February 2010 08:39

1. Use your subconscious. Everything starts in your mind and then becomes reality, so you need to install the right beliefs into your subconscious. 
2. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people. It's hard to find people like this – if you have friends who can manage this tightrope act between support and criticism, you should hang on to them!
3. Expand your comfort zone. You're never going to get anywhere without trying new things. If you can't swim, you're going to have to get wet.
4. One step at a time. Extending the swimming analogy, chances are you're not going to learn to swim by jumping into the deep end – it's too much, too soon.
5. Don't take things so seriously. Lighten up and keep things in perspective.
6. Shyness is pride. Nobody really cares about you. So stop being so self absorbed.
7. Don't over analyze. You are not going to overcome shyness by thinking about it.
8. Be comfortable in your own skin. Try going out alone.
9. Read the right books (and blogs!). Read books that will help you with your shyness.