Pulling this month's blog series all together, here's what we learned from this blog series so far: Words don't always communicate love, but specific details communicate love more effectively. Actions communicate love. Thoughtful, personalized, and even inexpensive gifts can communicate more love. How do you determine what your spouse considers showing love? Listen! 1. Listen to the comments your spouse makes when he/she receives a gift. Listen to what they don't say. Read between the lines. 2. ASK! Trust me when I say that it doesn't ruin the mystery if you go right up to her and ask what kinds of ways she likes to feel your love. It doesn't destroy the space/time continuum if you ask your husband how...
Part of effective communication has nothing to do with the words we use, but our attitude. Do you look them in the eye when you speak to people or is your attention divided as you text, talk on the phone, watch something on TV or read the paper? Do you use generic terms when you answer them or do you give them specific feedback? Are you warm and inviting? Do you tell them why they are special to you? Do you share your thoughts and feelings with them? Have you taken the time to offer help when needed? Really listen when they share? Making people feel special is the building blocks of a good friendship. That involves several things: Noticing...
We interrupt phone week for this commercial message from Word of the Week. And the word is self-talk! A while back, there was a popular book on the market called, What to Say When You Talk to Yourself. I never had that problem. I always knew what to say when I talk to myself. What I often had trouble with was what to say about WHY I talk to myself. Maybe I should write a bestselling book! Hmmm…. For me, it's a way to think things through, work things out in my head. Sometimes I work them out outside my head. Sometimes I talk to myself out loud to entertain myself as I figure things out. Sometimes I do it...
Nine Ways to Listen By JoJo Tabares Listening is the most important communication skill. It's rule #1 in JoJo's Communication Handbook. Listening is so important because it allows us to understand our audience which aids us in tailoring our message to them. Listening helps us know when someone has misunderstood us, is angry with us, or is confused. Listening to others is a gift we give them as they have a chance to communicate what is important to them. People have asked me HOW? How do we listen, really listen to others? What do we listen for? Listening may sound easy, but it's actually a very complicated skill and it's essential for ANY relationship. It could be an entire book because listening is more...
Have you ever called a large company and found yourself in the middle of... THE PHONE TREE! (phone tree...tree...tree...) If you have, you've likely experienced the frustration of one of my biggest communication pet peeves. Desperate to find the answers you seek, you remain on the line long after the hold music has stopped. You've pressed every button known to man and you've tried to connect with every department you think just MIGHT have something to do with your particular issue. After endless patience and wearing your index finger down to a nub, you find you've finally reached a live body and, well...here's a little scenario I wrote that helps illustrate THE PHONE TREE. (phone tree...tree...tree...) Press 1 if you...
