| During the month of February, we celebrate and | | | | engaging in self-doubt and fear. Before speaking |
| focus our attention on relationships. Relationships | | | | we may think to ourselves: What if this sounds |
| are a critical part of our personal and professional | | | | stupid, What if I am wrong? What if I am giving |
| lives, and they influence us in many ways. | | | | them information they already know? Expressing |
| Relationships contribute to our sense of | | | | oneself fully means mustering up the courage to |
| satisfaction, self regard, and balance.In simple | | | | potentially sound foolish or repeat information that |
| terms, the essence of relationships is the ability to | | | | our listener(s) may already know. In addition, it |
| give and receive. As a result, our communication | | | | means honoring our feelings, opinions, and |
| skills are implicitly linked to the quality of our | | | | knowledge. By holding back, we deny others the |
| relationships; better communication skills = better | | | | opportunity to learn from us and grow. By |
| relationships.The first step in communicating | | | | speaking your truth, you give the listener material |
| effectively is learning to receive the message, i.e. | | | | to work with. From there, s/he has the choice to |
| listen. As simple as it sounds, so many people fail | | | | agree, disagree, or just accept what you have |
| to listen fully, leaving the speaker feeling dejected, | | | | said.Relationships work when we balance speaking |
| insignificant and/or frustrated. The goal in listening | | | | candidly and listening fully. When communication is |
| is to glean an understanding of the speaker's | | | | based on openness, mutual respect, and good |
| message. Attaining this goal takes focus, | | | | intentions, each participant feels accepted and |
| attention, and an open mind. Additionally, listening | | | | validated. Effective communication skills allow us |
| requires us to hear with our eyes as well as our | | | | to share agreements and disagreements. They |
| ears. Picking up on nonverbal communication, tone, | | | | also enable us to solve conflicts and celebrate |
| and other nuances is essential in interpreting what | | | | accomplishments. As a result, our relationships are |
| the speaker really means.The second step in | | | | nurtured and enhanced.See my Simple Solutions |
| communicating effectively is learning to send the | | | | page for Tips on Communicating Effectively!Peggy |
| message effectively. Like listening, speaking | | | | Tsatsoulis, MA CAGS- is a highly sought after |
| effectively is not as simple as it sounds. Speaking | | | | Professional Life Coach and Certified Psychologist |
| requires us to put our thoughts into clear chunks | | | | with over ten years of experience. She has been |
| of information that can be easily understood by | | | | dedicated to working with individuals to improve |
| our audience. Long diatribes can cause the listener | | | | the quality of their lives, and her focus has been |
| to become tired, lose interest and shift focus, | | | | on bringing out the best in others. Peggy serves a |
| resulting in a communication breakdown. In | | | | national client base through phone and e-mail |
| addition, speaking candidly can be very | | | | coaching. |
| difficult.Many times we hold ourselves back by | | | | |