1. As we have been discovering in recent years, there are tremendous health benefits, most significantly by reducing stress. It has been shown to lessen activity in the right prefrontal cortex (associated with anger and anxiety) and increase it in the left prefrontal cortex, which is associated with happiness and positivity. Because it lowers stress, it can positively impact diseases that have a clear stress related component such as ulcers, heart disease, asthma, and immune deficiencies. On the emotional side, when included as part of treatment for depression, researchers have shown that those who meditate are 50% less likely to relapse, which is awesome.

 

2. Meditation can you happier and more creative, if only because it affords your mind time to rest. Rest is essential. Like, consider this: we all know exercise is good for us, yes? But what if all you did was exercise? Inside of about 2-12 hours, it would pretty much cease to be good for you and would become the opposite. Apply this to our minds. If all you do is think, plan, worry, take in inputs, whether in the form of work-related reading, social media, or some form of entertainment–at some point, your mind is just too tired to make much use of what it’s being fed. For many of us, it feels like this incredible mental activity goes on throughout the evening. Uncle! We need to give our minds time to rest. Allowing attention to ride the breath as we do during meditation–also known as synchronizing mind and body–offers the mind a chance to rest that is way different than the ways we normally try, which usually involve some sort of distraction and/or just hoping to space out.

 

3. Finally, meditation makes you a nicer person, especially toward yourself. As you practice, continually refocusing attention on the breath and allowing your thoughts to be as they are without trying to chase any away or hold onto others, you are also practicing softening toward yourself. If you think something great about yourself, you let that go. If you think something horrid about yourself, you let that go. Whether your thought is vicious, pleasant, boring, confusing, or brilliant–you touch it and let it go. You come back over and over to the you who is simply open, receptive, and curious. You find that there is no thought or feeling from which you cannot return to this very place. In this way, you soften toward yourself. You can untether yourself from the self-improvement treadmill most of us have lashed ourselves to pretty tightly and instead extend the hand of friendship toward yourself. This builds precision without judgment, patience without coddling, and, quite naturally, a heart that is strong enough to open, open, and keep opening: first to yourself in all your unique brilliance and then to all your encounter, no matter what. With this openness, all things are possible for us and between us.

OK, all that said, at the same time, we’re just sitting here, breathing and hanging out with ourselves, just as we are. For all of its profound qualities and principles, at the same time, meditation is just about the most ordinary thing you can ever do. So let’s go.

 

Comments?! Love to hear them.

 

Did you know that 55% of communication is visual (body language, eye contact) and 38% is vocal (pitch, speed, volume, tone of voice)? That means only 7% involves your actual words. And when the spotlight is on you- whether one-on-one in an interview or when making a presentation to a large group—you need to communicate effectively on all levels. Here's a look at common body language mistakes, and winning techniques for avoiding.

 

Do you read directly from a PowerPoint presentation instead of addressing the audience? In a one-on-one conversation, do you glance to the side, down at your feet, or at the desk? Ever catch yourself looking over the shoulder of the person you're talking to?

 

If you're giving a presentation, commit your material to memory so you can connect instead of read. In small groups or meetings, maintain eye contact equally with everyone in the room. During one-on-one conversations, keep your eyes on the person you are speaking to 80% to 90% of the time.

 

Crossing your arms, standing behind a podium, standing behind a chair, and talking to someone from behind a computer monitor are all examples of blocking.

 

Keep your hands apart and your palms up, pointed toward the ceiling. Remove physical barriers between you and your listeners.

 

Keeping your hands in your pockets or clasped together makes you seem stiff, stilted, and formal. It conveys insecurity, whether or not you're insecure.

 

Engaging both hands above the waist is an example of a complex hand gesture that reflects complex thinking and gives the listener confidence in the speaker. Just watch such charismatic speakers as Bill Clinton, Colin Powell, Barack Obama, or Tony Blair.

 

Ineffective speakers barely move, staying in one spot during a presentation.

 

Great speakers get up and move, and when appropriate, mingle with the audience, like Cisco Chief Executive John Chambers, who often walks into the audience as he speaks.

 

Poor posture is often associated with a lack of confidence and can reflect—or be presumed to reflect—a lack of engagement or interest.

 

Also, lean forward when seated. By sitting toward the front of your chair and leaning forward slightly, you will look far more interested, engaged, and enthusiastic.

 

Any number of interview candidates may possess specific subject-knowledge valuable to a business. But the candidate who goes beyond mere information and displays an ability to use it well is more likely to get the job. Senior executives and managers generally want people who pay attention to and understand the broader view.

TIP: Demonstrate you recognize patterns and understand their importance; that you know how to use and synthesize information.

 

 

Do your homework so you understand not only the job or promotion for which you are applying, but also the job of the senior executive above it. Do you know to whom this person reports, and what the top issues are for your boss's boss?

TIP: Make that knowledge part of your interview conversation. Show an interest not only in the specifics of the job, but in the product and markets for that company. Ask broad questions: "What do you think the potential growth in the Indian market is?"

 

 

Senior managers are looking for candidates who are creative thinkers focused on finding solutions. It is less important that you show you know the details of the problems the organization faces than that you're able to demonstrate readiness to look for options and find solutions.

TIP: Think about problems in the past you've identified and managed to solve. Show readiness to tackle the tough issues.

 

 

Chances are whoever you're interviewing with got where he is by showing some moxie, and you should too. Top people need and want folks around them who are not afraid to speak up and will confidently assert their ideas. It is the only way to be part of the process.

TIP: Be ready with an example of a time when you weren't afraid to go out on a limb and your actions helped bring about real change.

 

 

Yes, you should speak up and assert your ideas. But there will be times when the folks at the top will want—will even need—for you to go along once a decision has been made, even if you don't agree with it.

TIP: Think about past experiences you can discuss to demonstrate you're

comfortable with the challenges of a dynamic environment.

 

 

Just as you want to make it plain in an interview that you are not too timid to speak up, you want to make it clear you are not over-confident or intent on dominating the process. Demonstrate you are able to listen without being too eager to cut off dialog.

TIP: Ask questions that reflect the concerns of the questioner in a constructive way. For instance, if you are asked what you would do in a certain situation, resist the temptation to answer before you've asked some questions of your own.

 

 

If there's one thing senior managers have a universal distaste for, it's whining. Remember, every hiring manager wants to hire a team player who will bring positive energy and real initiative to the job. Be ready with examples of positive suggestions about problems or issues that you took initiative on in order to demonstrate your people skills.

TIP: Steer clear of any criticism of prior managers, even if invited to offer it.

 

 

 

 

 

First impression count and an interview is the crucial moment when you can really impress the employer.

 

Here few tips for you:

 

 

 

 

 

     For the ladies:

 

 

 

 

Interviews can be terrifying however with the right preparation you should be able to tackle your next one better! Few useful tips for you:

 

 

Good luck