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Take time out and find some inspiration

Outshine the competition

Article by
Eilidh Milnes

Outshine the competition – be the star you are….

You don’t get a second chance to make that first impression and the impression we get of each other at the very first contact is particularly important. So your words and your body language in the first seven seconds are vital to the impression others have of you. Words and body language will also determine the course of the communication you will have with those people in the future.

When you wake up in the morning

In many relationships, waking up can become a boring routine. It can be an uninspiring process and ritual. If so, it affects the whole day – if you have the will to get up at all. In turn it influences the mood with which you get to work and thus the course of events of the entire day. If you want to get the most out of each day, then do something in the first moments to be affectionate and positive towards yourself, your partner, your children, and even your animals.

Speak out kind words of encouragement. From time to time, set your alarm earlier and be creative with the extra time you have allocated to yourself. Use positive Mirror talk. “Have I told you I love you today?” “You look great today!” “Gosh, what a super smile!”

Be aware of your first interactions. Often your first contact with your boss and colleagues is commonplace and trivial; characterised by tedious routines.

Give every day a flying start.

Think of something new to say. Be aware of changes in your surroundings and respond to them. Show that you have noticed if a colleague has a new hairdo or outfit. Spot that new car in the car park – offer to go out and admire it and maybe even have a test drive. People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. Your colleagues will love you if you take a genuine interest in them. Look for ways to celebrate. And take on board these tips because you want to; not because you want to score points. People see through techniques and no-one likes to feel manipulated.

Special dates

Do you know the birth dates of all your colleagues? If not, plan to get this information by the end of this month. Add each date to your planner and ensure you wish each member of your team happy birthday on the appropriate day. In our family we celebrate happy “un-birthdays” too – just like “Alice in Wonderland.”

I go out of my way to send my clients and colleagues an email or text or their birthdays. It gives me pleasure to do so. I am led to believe it cheers the recipients too.

When you get home at night

Many people walk through the door when they get home from work without thinking how they create happiness around them. Taking this simple step forms the basis for a pleasant and productive evening. Sadly the first few minutes are often spent talking about the traffic, the weather or standard platitudes such as, “Have you been good at school today?”

To get more out of your evenings, think for a while before you walk into your home. Prepare when you want to say, how can you make your family feel great? Make sure your body language matches your words. And clear your cluttered thoughts ready to make the most of your time with the most important people in your life – your family.

As you leave your place of work, you could make a call or send a short text which will set the scene saying: “Missed you today”…. “On my way J“ “Did I tell you I love you today?” I guarantee this approach will work wonders – so long as your behaviour when you arrive home matches your words.

What you do speaks louder than what you say. So ensure you walk the walk and talk the talk.

If you are aware of your first encounters it may make a real difference to your co-workers and your own level of happiness. Remember your first few seconds when you are out and about living your life. Be kind to and welcoming to shopkeepers, fellow travellers and people driving to work – a smile and a pleasant demeanour can work miracles. Smiles cost nothing so give them away at every opportunity.