motivational-speaker-susan-young

Graciously Accepting a Compliment. How many times have you offered someone a sincere compliment only to have it thrown back in your face as if your assessment were wrong? How did you feel? Women are notorious for this social misstep and poor maneuver. Why do they do it? Rejecting a compliment makes the compliment-giver feel as though they should have said nothing.

When you are socially aware, you will realize whether you are forcing yourself into a conversation or have actually been invited to participate.

Introduce Yourself. Being confident and outgoing will empower you to approach new people who might be reluctant to take the first step. It is amazing how many people we come in contact with yet pass like ships in the night without any engagement or connection.

As a lifetime optimist, my first tendency has always been to look for the best in others, the best in situations, and focus on what is working rather than what is not. Noticing the good has helped me immensely in life and business and it can do the same for you.

The road to hell_ (in the metaphorical sense, of course), occurs when the people who have good intentions fail to act, follow-through, or live up to their promises, all of which creates stress, frustration, and disappointment. People can be earnest and well-meaning, but their words become hollow when actions do not follow their words. By setting good intentions and taking deliberate action to back intentions up, you can transform your results.

Take the Initiative. Be proactive. If you want to rock your relationship results, it is going to take action, effort, initiative, and choosing to get in the game__o, step up, step out, and show up!

Service Beyond Self. Value others; have a heart of service and generosity. Rise above self-interest. Ask what you can do for others, not what they can do for you.

When you are "off somewhere else" people notice. Have you found yourself in conversations in which you__e so concerned about what you are going to say next, that you don__ even hear what the other person is saying? Guilty as charged, right?

Finding the good in others is mutually rewarding for both you and the fortunate recipient of your kind words. Don__ you love being around people who make you feel great about yourself? Don__ you want to do business with people who make you feel valued and important? Wouldn__ you rather work with people who appreciate and respect you? Of course you would! Now go out and do that for others! When you become a generous good-finder you will infuse positive energy, optimism, and good will into their lives, as well as your own.

BE HERE NOWDo you feel fully present and engaged in the way you live your life? Do you immerse yourself in the moment or do you strive and struggle as you negotiate the distractions of our modern world? It__ easy to have blind spots regarding how you are showing up for life when you are consistently bombarded with distractions, commitments, and personal preoccupations, isn__ it?

Sometimes it is better to refrain from engaging in conversation because making no impression is better than making a bad impression.

Begin to take the initiative when you want to meet someone new. Be the one who steps forward first. Simply say hello and begin a conversation.

Years ago, my childhood friend Steve lost his father. Since Steve had left Tallahassee shortly after high school graduation, we had not seen each other for over a decade. Upon learning of his father__ funeral, I made plans to attend to "be there." After the service, I approached the family__ receiving line. When Steve saw me, he was stunned that I had made the effort to be there for him. We both cried as we hugged and he said, __ can__ tell you what it means to me that you showed up._ Showing up sends a message that you are a devoted friend, a team player, a dedicated parent, an inspiring leader, a loyal mate, and more.

While good old-fashioned manners and etiquette have worked for centuries, new standards and expectations have come into play with the modern world. Behaviors which would have been appalling in the past are now socially acceptable.

Your life is happening in the NOW, yet the present moment is often squandered by your thinking about what has happened in the past or may happen in the future.

Why is this disengagement epidemic becoming the new norm? A few reasons I have witnessed in speaking with companies across the country include . . ._ Information overload_ Distractions_ Stress/overwhelmed_ Apathy/detachment_ Short attention span_ Fear, worry, anxiety_ Rapidly changing technology_ Entitlement_ Poor leadership_ Preoccupation_ Social media_ Interruptions_ Multitasking_ Budget cuts_ Exhaustion_ Boredom_ Conflict_ Social insecurity_ Lack of longevityThese challenges not only create separation and work dysfunction, but we are seeing it happen in relationships and personal interactions.

Polish the Gold. Be an optimist; look for the best in others, the best in situations, and focus on what is working rather than what is not. It's golden!

At a Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast, two of my friends and I were standing in a circle talking. A stranger approached, interrupted our little reunion, and gave each of us her card. She then began talking about herself and her business without a hint of social awareness, or care about her interruption. She even had the tactless gall to ask us for referrals. When she left our small circle, we looked at each other and laughed, __hat was that?