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Why should we all meditate daily?

08/31/2011 11:57:00

Some reminders about why it’s such a good idea + a 10 minute meditation for today.

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.

THE SILENT LANGUAGE OF SUCCESS

12/15/2010 16:39:00

Your words are just the beginning- effective communication includes eye contact, hand gestures, and movement

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.

EyesCommon mistake: Taking your eyes off of listeners.

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?

EyesThe winning technique: Keeping your eyes on your audience.

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.

Blocking Common mistake: Putting something between you and your listener(s).

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.

BlockingThe winning technique: Staying “open.”

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

Hands Common mistake: Not using them.

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.

HandsThe winning technique: Using complex hand gestures.

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.

AnimationCommon mistake: Standing or sitting perfectly still.

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

AnimationThe winning technique: Animate your body, not your slides.

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.

PostureCommon mistake: Slouching, leaning back, or being hunched over.

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

The winning technique: Keeping your head up and back straight.

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.

SEVEN THINGS THAT YOU MUST DO IN AN INTERVIEW

12/15/2010 11:16:00

Show You Get the "Big Picture"

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.

Find Out What Keeps the Boss Up at Night

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?"

Look for Answers

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.

Show Some Guts

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.

Show Your Softer Side, Too

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.

Listen

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.

Keep It Positive

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.

DRESS TO IMPRESS !

12/14/2010 16:28:00

"You never get a second chance to give a good first impression"

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

Here few tips for you:

Have all your clothes clean and ironed the night before
Only wear clothes you are confortable wearing
Look professional
Shave
Always have a good breakfast

For the ladies:

Do not wear too much make up
Do not wear too much perfume
Look the part

INTERVIEWS TECHNIQUES

12/14/2010 16:22:00

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

Prepare all your clothes the night before
Get a good night sleep
Plan your journey in advance
Find out as much information as you can about the company beforehand
Prepare as many answers to possible questions
Bring your CV and cover letter
Arrive in advance and report to reception ( if applicable)
Think positively
Smile!

Good luck