Word-Of-the-Week #932: Connection
June 16, 2022 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #932: Connection
Connection – the act of creating a relationship.
When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation with someone in person? How much time each month do you spend helping others? Do you realize how important relationships are in adding to your overall happiness?
Here are more excerpts on “The Habits Of Supremely Happy People” from The Huffington Post.
Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, theorizes that while 60 percent of happiness is determined by our genetics and environment, the remaining 40 percent is up to us. And he says happy people have habits you can introduce into your everyday life that may add to the bigger picture of bliss.
- They devote some of their time to giving.
Even though there are only 24 hours in a day, positive people fill some of that time doing good for others, which in return, does some good for the do-gooders themselves. A long-term research project called Americans’ Changing Lives found a bevy of benefits associated with altruism: “Volunteer work was good for both mental and physical health. People of all ages who volunteered were happier and experienced better physical health and less depression,” reported Peggy Thoits, the leader of one of the studies.
Givers also experience what researchers call “the helper’s high,” a euphoric state experienced by those engaged in charitable acts. “This is probably a literal “high,” similar to a drug-induced high,” writes Christine L. Carter, Ph.D. “The act of making a financial donation triggers the reward center in our brains that is responsible for dopamine-mediated euphoria.”
- They nix the small talk for deeper conversation.
Nothing wrong with shootin’ the you-know-what every now and then, but sitting down to talk about what makes you tick is a prime practice for feeling good about life. A study published in Psychological Science found that those who take part in more substantive conversation and less trivial chit chat experienced more feelings of satisfaction.
“I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings,” is one of the top five regrets of the dying — a sentiment that hints at the fact that people wish they’d spent less time talking about the weather and more time delving into what it is that makes their heart swell.
- They make a point to listen.
“When you listen you open up your ability to take in more knowledge versus blocking the world with your words or your distracting thoughts,” writes David Mezzapelle, author of Contagious Optimism. “You are also demonstrating confidence and respect for others. Knowledge and confidence is proof that you are secure and positive with yourself thus radiating positive energy.” Good listening is a skill that strengthens relationships and leads to more satisfying experiences. A good listener may walk away from a conversation feeling as if their presence served a purpose, an experience that is closely connected with increased well-being.
- They uphold in-person connections.
It’s quick and convenient to text, FaceTime and tweet at your buddies. But spending the money on a flight to see your favorite person across the country has weight when it comes to your well-being. “There’s a deep need to have a sense of belonging that comes with having personal interactions with friends,” says John Cacioppo, Ph.D., the director of the Center of Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. Social media, while it keeps us in touch, doesn’t allow us to physically touch, which harvests the warm-and-fuzzies and even decreases feelings of anxiety.”
This week’s focus is on connection. How open and receptive are you to listening to those around you? When is the last time you took a trip to see a special friend? How often do you express your deepest true feelings?
I LOVE feedback! Join my Facebook community on my FUN-damentals Fan Page.
Word-Of-the-Week #834: Connection
July 30, 2020 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #834: Connection
Connection – the act of creating a relationship.
When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation with someone in person? How much time each month do you spend helping others? Do you realize how important relationships are in adding to your overall happiness?
Here are more excerpts on “The Habits Of Supremely Happy People” from The Huffington Post.
Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, theorizes that while 60 percent of happiness is determined by our genetics and environment, the remaining 40 percent is up to us. And he says happy people have habits you can introduce into your everyday life that may add to the bigger picture of bliss.
- They devote some of their time to giving.
Even though there are only 24 hours in a day, positive people fill some of that time doing good for others, which in return, does some good for the do-gooders themselves. A long-term research project called Americans’ Changing Lives found a bevy of benefits associated with altruism: “Volunteer work was good for both mental and physical health. People of all ages who volunteered were happier and experienced better physical health and less depression,” reported Peggy Thoits, the leader of one of the studies.
Givers also experience what researchers call “the helper’s high,” a euphoric state experienced by those engaged in charitable acts. “This is probably a literal “high,” similar to a drug-induced high,” writes Christine L. Carter, Ph.D. “The act of making a financial donation triggers the reward center in our brains that is responsible for dopamine-mediated euphoria.”
- They nix the small talk for deeper conversation.
Nothing wrong with shootin’ the you-know-what every now and then, but sitting down to talk about what makes you tick is a prime practice for feeling good about life. A study published in Psychological Science found that those who take part in more substantive conversation and less trivial chit chat experienced more feelings of satisfaction.
“I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings,” is one of the top five regrets of the dying — a sentiment that hints at the fact that people wish they’d spent less time talking about the weather and more time delving into what it is that makes their heart swell.
- They make a point to listen.
“When you listen you open up your ability to take in more knowledge versus blocking the world with your words or your distracting thoughts,” writes David Mezzapelle, author of Contagious Optimism. “You are also demonstrating confidence and respect for others. Knowledge and confidence is proof that you are secure and positive with yourself thus radiating positive energy.” Good listening is a skill that strengthens relationships and leads to more satisfying experiences. A good listener may walk away from a conversation feeling as if their presence served a purpose, an experience that is closely connected with increased well-being.
- They uphold in-person connections.
It’s quick and convenient to text, FaceTime and tweet at your buddies. But spending the money on a flight to see your favorite person across the country has weight when it comes to your well-being. “There’s a deep need to have a sense of belonging that comes with having personal interactions with friends,” says John Cacioppo, Ph.D., the director of the Center of Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. Social media, while it keeps us in touch, doesn’t allow us to physically touch, which harvests the warm-and-fuzzies and even decreases feelings of anxiety.
This week’s focus is on connection. How open and receptive are you to listening to those around you? When was the last time you connected with a special friend? How often do you express your deepest true feelings?
I LOVE feedback! Join my Facebook community on my FUN-damentals Fan Page.
Word-Of-the-Week #625: Connection
July 27, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #625: Connection
Connection – the act of creating a relationship.
When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation with someone in person? How much time each month do you spend helping others? Do you realize how important relationships are in adding to your overall happiness?
Here are more excerpts on “The Habits Of Supremely Happy People” from The Huffington Post.
Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, theorizes that while 60 percent of happiness is determined by our genetics and environment, the remaining 40 percent is up to us. And he says happy people have habits you can introduce into your everyday life that may add to the bigger picture of bliss.
- They devote some of their time to giving.
Even though there are only 24 hours in a day, positive people fill some of that time doing good for others, which in return, does some good for the do-gooders themselves. A long-term research project called Americans’ Changing Lives found a bevy of benefits associated with altruism: “Volunteer work was good for both mental and physical health. People of all ages who volunteered were happier and experienced better physical health and less depression,” reported Peggy Thoits, the leader of one of the studies.
Givers also experience what researchers call “the helper’s high,” a euphoric state experienced by those engaged in charitable acts. “This is probably a literal “high,” similar to a drug-induced high,” writes Christine L. Carter, Ph.D. “The act of making a financial donation triggers the reward center in our brains that is responsible for dopamine-mediated euphoria.”
- They nix the small talk for deeper conversation.
Nothing wrong with shootin’ the you-know-what every now and then, but sitting down to talk about what makes you tick is a prime practice for feeling good about life. A study published in Psychological Science found that those who take part in more substantive conversation and less trivial chit chat experienced more feelings of satisfaction.
“I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings,” is one of the top five regrets of the dying — a sentiment that hints at the fact that people wish they’d spent less time talking about the weather and more time delving into what it is that makes their heart swell.
- They make a point to listen.
“When you listen you open up your ability to take in more knowledge versus blocking the world with your words or your distracting thoughts,” writes David Mezzapelle, author of Contagious Optimism. “You are also demonstrating confidence and respect for others. Knowledge and confidence is proof that you are secure and positive with yourself thus radiating positive energy.” Good listening is a skill that strengthens relationships and leads to more satisfying experiences. A good listener may walk away from a conversation feeling as if their presence served a purpose, an experience that is closely connected with increased well-being.
- They uphold in-person connections.
It’s quick and convenient to text, FaceTime and tweet at your buddies. But spending the money on a flight to see your favorite person across the country has weight when it comes to your well-being. “There’s a deep need to have a sense of belonging that comes with having personal interactions with friends,” says John Cacioppo, Ph.D., the director of the Center of Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. Social media, while it keeps us in touch, doesn’t allow us to physically touch, which harvests the warm-and-fuzzies and even decreases feelings of anxiety.
This week’s focus is on connection. How open and receptive are you to listening to those around you? When is the last time you took a trip to see a special friend? How often do you express your deepest true feelings?
I LOVE feedback! Join my Facebook community on my FUN-damentals Fan Page.
Word Of the Week #7: Connection
April 20, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word Of the Week #7: Connection
Connection: coming into or being put in contact for the purpose of a relationship.
Each person has his/her own personality leaving a unique, individual, impression with certain people; these are people that feel an emotional connection to you. That’s the beginning of a developing relationship.
Ultimate connection
You have relationships with people at home and at work, in your favorite coffee shop or restaurant. When you want to create a connection, all you have to do is focus your attention on that person. Listen more carefully or get more personal. The more attention, the deeper the connection.
Think about how you can create a deeper connection with everyone this week. What behavior are you displaying and how does it make you feel? Are the people around you responding differently?
Reader Responses
“Thought for the day: I think that what’s important is to base one’s convictions on compassion for others and an ambitious sense of the possible…..Life is facing challenges, going through them, and getting to the other side.” — John Beck
“Since my business is virtual, I do a lot of networking on Ryze and through groups like the IVWCC (International Virtual Women’s Chamber of Commerce). I make it a point to send private messages or emails to the people I’m interested in networking with, and have developed some great business and personal relationships by connecting with others I’ve met online. People do business with, and refer business to, people they know and trust and like.” — Terry L. Green
“Thank you Susan…I like this one, life is short and we only have so much time and sometimes we forget about relationships or simply do not invest the time to learn more about our friends, co-workers and even our loved ones.” — Charles Rich
How To Love and Kiss Your Customers
March 28, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on How To Love and Kiss Your Customers
What is really good service? Ask five different people and you’ll get five different answers. Attentiveness? YES! The ability to give your full and undivided attention to each and every one of your customers. Anticipation? Yes! The ability to anticipate what the customer wants before they ask for it. Making you feel important, special, welcome and “at home?” YES!!
What is really great service? It’s whatever makes the customer feel really good!
Because great service means so many different things to so many different people, I felt the need to express it simply. I call it my “M versus E theory” — Motion versus Emotion. Most people are “just going through the motions” everyday…..”Can I help you?” “Thank you for coming.” “Have a nice day.” “Cash or charge?” They’re not rude, they’re not completely indifferent (well, some of them are). They’re like little robots.
But every now and then you feel an emotional connection. And I truly believe that is what great service is all about. When I talk about outsmarting, outselling and outservicing the competition, the biggest key is connecting with your customers. When you give them love and kisses, they know you really care about them, and really value them. When this happens, your customers will feel good about spending their money, and will continue to come back and spend more money, as well as telling everyone else about you!
When was the last time you felt really valued and cared for as a customer? I asked that question at a recent presentation I gave, and the participant said that she spent twice as much money as she had planned, because she had an emotional connection with the salesperson. Loving and kissing your customers is about just being “totally present.” You cannot afford to “just go through the motions,” you need to create emotional connections with all your customers!