Communication 101
The working world, a relationship, and ordering off a menu all have one thing in common: they can't work without effective communication. The businesses and people that are most successful all have one thing in common: they all have exceptional communication skills. The problem most people have is that they have gotten into a habit of communicating one way, and it isn't necessarily the best way. Making changes, especially changes to our reactionary behavior, takes a lot of time, knowledge, and practice. Change is one thing that all human beings dislike. How do you get motivated to learn and use new, effective communication skills when your old ones are lacking? Here are some steps that will help set you on your course to better communication.
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Step 1: Think of your life now.
Most things we want to change about our relationships can be traced back to a lack of communication or miscommunication. A boss that treats you like dirt probably does so because you've never stood up for yourself and communicated with him about his lack of respect for you. A wife who is constantly upset with her husband for not fulfilling her needs is probably not communicating those needs very well. You know that those around you cannot read your mind, so if you want to get what you want, you need to learn how to tell people what you want in a way they will respond to. That takes communication skills. Think of your life now. Ask yourself the following questions: What relationships in your life are suffering? What relationships are good but could be better? If you communicated better with just one person, could you get more of what you want? If your life now is not what you want, you can probably find the motivation to change it, especially when it comes to communicating to get what you want.
Step 2: Think of the end results.
What results do you get from your communication now? What results do you want from your communication? If you think of the end results as they are and as you want them to be, you can find the motivation to change how you communicate. Do you want a raise? Do you want a better job? Do you want a closer relationship with your spouse? The end result of effective communication skills is a happier, fuller life than the one you are currently living. If you don't like what you are getting now, you will find the motivation to change it, but you really have to take a good look at what you are getting now so you can move yourself enough to change.
Step 3: Dream for yourself.
The most important step to getting motivated to learn and use effective communication skills is to visualize and dream what you want to get out of your relationships. If you set a goal to reach by means of communication, you are more likely to have the motivation to learn to communicate better so you can reach your goal. Your goal should be a very tangible thing. For example, if you want to make $10,000 more per year than what you are currently making, set a goal to do so. Dream about what you can do with the extra money, find your inspiration, and get motivated to act. This will give you the motivation to actually communicate differently, more effectively. You are the master of your own fate, so dream for yourself so you find the motivation to communicate better.
